The centre back hasn’t played for Spurs since the 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League back in November

Tottenham Hotspur centre back Toby Alderweireld will not be available to face Manchester United tomorrow, but Danny Rose could return from his latest knee injury to take on Jose Mourinho’s side.

Alderweireld has missed Spurs’ last 18 matches and, while he has returned to full training with the first team, he is still lacking match fitness. Rose is ready to play for the first time since Boxing Day, however.

“Toby’s still not fit,” said Pochettino. “Danny Rose is on the list. He’s in contention.”

Pochettino also confirmed that Hugo Lloris and Christian Eriksen are available, having recovered from illness – but he was tight-lipped about Lucas Moura’s expected arrival.

The Brazilian winger is closing in on a £25million move from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of tomorrow night’s’s transfer deadline, but Pochettino said: “There’s not too much to say. I think the club is going to communicate it when something happens.”

There has been speculation that Tottenham could sell Fernando Llorente if they receive an acceptable offer, just five months after signing him from Swansea.

But Pochettino said: “That is another rumour. Fernando is our player and I don’t know anything about that. He played the last game against Newport. He’s a player that’s in our squad, and he’s in our plans.”

Tottenham are beginning a crunch period in their top-four fight, with successive top-flight fixtures against United, Liverpool and Arsenal – but Pochettino does not feel this spell will be decisive.

“I think it’s not key because there are still a lot of games to play,” he said. “But yes it’s so important to win games to be closer and have the facility to fight to the end.

“I don’t believe that the key to being in the top four is to win tomorrow or on Sunday. But it’s so important to put yourself in a good position in the table and have the chance in the end to be there.”

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