Three things we learned from Pochettino’s pre-Man City press conference

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has briefed the media ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at Wembley.

The hosts can strengthen their grip on a place in the top four with a win, but Pep Guardiola’s side will be determined to turn their form around after three straight defeats.

Plenty of topics were on the agenda at the press conference. Here are three things we learned.

Danny Rose is injured again

Rose has struggled to string a run of games together since returning from a serious knee injury earlier in the season.

And his misfortune looks set to continue after the left-back injured his calf after Spurs’ win at Stoke.

“He had a scan yesterday,” said Pochettino (via @BenPearceSpurs). We think he will be OK for Tuesday [against Brighton]. We don’t believe it’s a big issue.”

Thankfully, Ben Davies has been in fine form this term – Tottenham have hardly missed Rose.

Spurs are investigating Harry Winks’ ankle problem

Winks has endured an even more difficult season that Rose in terms of injuries.

The midfielder looks almost certain to be out for the remainder of the campaign, but Tottenham have taken measures to identify the exact problem with his ankle.

The club has sent Winks to a specialist sports medicine hospital in Qatar to undergo rehab.

Pochettino noted: “We hope after that period he can come back, fixing his problem, and try to again stay in the group training. But of course we are a little bit concerned about his situation and we’re trying to fix his problem.” (Via Ham&High.)

Harry Kane’s goal appeal was the club’s decision

Pochettino revealed it was the club’s decision to appeal against the awarding of Spurs’ second goal at Stoke to Christian Eriksen – it wasn’t Kane’s choice.

Kane claimed the ball brushed his shoulder on the way in, and much has been said this week about the striker’s insistence it was his goal.

But Pochettino played down the situation, suggesting there are more important things to worry about.

“I care about the goal because it provided us with the three points, but all that happens after that is more about players’ decisions or the club’s decision,” he said (via Ham&High).

“That was a club decision to appeal, I wasn’t involved in this decision. Of course I think and I’m sure that Harry and Christian were agreed to do this, but no-one says to me what was going to happen.

“For me, it’s a deal between them and if the club believes it was right to appeal, there’s nothing to say for me.”