Tottenham will be without Serge Aurier and Danny Rose for their Champions League group stage opener against Greek champions Olympiacos tomorrow evening.
The defenders both started Spurs’ 4-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday and are not injured, but have been left at home by Mauricio Pochettino.
It’s not the first time the Argentine has left out experienced players for a big European tie – he notably didn’t include Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld for their first leg draw with Juventus back in early 2018.
It means that Kyle Walker-Peters, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury he suffered against Newcastle United last month, is likely to be handed his first Champions League appearance since his mistake in the draw with Barcelona in mid-December and just second of his career.
Elsewhere, Ben Davies looks a certainty to replace Rose at left-back. The Welsh international made his first appearance of the season as a late substitute against the Eagles after recovering from a groin operation that saw him miss the beginning of the campaign and has travelled to Greece with the rest of the Tottenham squad.
