Tottenham Hotspur take on Southampton in Premier League action on Sunday, with Mauricio Pochettino’s men starting an important run of fixtures that could define the club’s season.
While glamour ties against Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus are all on the agenda for the next month, Spurs will firstly look to continue strong recent form and record three points on the south coast.
Tottenham first-teamers Toby Alderweireld, Harry Winks and Danny Rose remain sidelined and unavailable through injury, while Hugo Lloris could miss out against Southampton due to illness.
However, with Pochettino picking his side, it may well be time for a Spurs first-team regular from last season to be recalled into the starting XI.
Victor Wanyama has spent the majority of the campaign on the sidelines through injury but has recently returned to availability for Tottenham.
A handful of cameos from the bench have given the Kenya international a taste of Premier League action again but Pochettino has as yet resisted the urged to bring the African powerhouse back into the Spurs starting line-up.
While Eric Dier has continued in the Tottenham midfield of late, the clash with Southampton could well be the perfect opportunity to give Wanyama more of an outing and play him from the off.
The 26-year-old was an integral part of the Spurs side last season, with his energy, work-rate and ability to break up the opposition’s play key to the side’s success.
After a week’s training camp in Barcelona, Wanyama will be closing in on full fitness and Tottenham should unleash him against his former club Southampton.
While Dier’s versatility continues to be a real asset for Spurs, the Kenyan is a more-rounded option in the centre of the park.
With big games coming up, Tottenham supporters will hope to have first-choice midfield pairing Mousa Dembele and Wanyama fit and firing for crucial Premier League and Champions League clashes.
I doubt there is a Spurs fan anywhere who doesn’t expect Wanyama to start this week so just what is the point of this strange piece?
He hasn’t started a game since August. Not guaranteed to start today either as Poch may need to drop Dier – hope he does though
Seeing he’s been injured all that time his not having started is a pointless statement. He’s had two runs as a sub. He’ll start. Dier will drop back to a back three with two wing backs… 3-4-2-1
So who is going to be dropped for Wanyama to play? Son? Alli? Let’s wait and see but I feel that you are being a bit quick to say he’ll go three at the back – been playing a back four and winning…
I’m not dropping anyone… Poch is!
My choice would be Son to come on for Alli or Erikson at 60 mins.
But if Poch goes with a back 4 again then Dier is on the bench. On for Dembele at 60mins.
No harm there seeing he’s played a million minutes already this season.
Let’s just hope for three points. Nice to have options across the park. Enjoy the game
Nice talking to you. Cheers.
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