Amsterdam (AFP) – Jan Vertonghen will be back for Tottenham Hotspur when they face Ajax in the return leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed.
The Belgian defender came off in the first half of last week’s 1-0 defeat in the first leg after suffering a nasty head knock, and missed Tottenham’s trip to Bournemouth at the weekend as a result.
“He didn’t suffer anything more than the cut on his nose. A lot of players keep playing in the same situation. It wasn’t a big issue,” insisted Pochettino at a press conference in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening.
“I think he’s ready to play.”
The Spurs coach also suggested that reports Vertonghen would wear a face mask were wide of the mark.
In addition, Erik Lamela has been back in training and could feature, while Son Heung-min is available after missing the first leg due to suspension and then being sent off as Tottenham lost 1-0 at Bournemouth.
Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Serge Aurier are all out, though, as Spurs look to reach the final of the Champions League for the first time.
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