Jose Mourinho Provides Updates on Dele Alli, Son Heung-min & Gareth Bale

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has provided updates on Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale ahead of Thursday evening's Europa League qualifying round play-off against Maccabi Haifa. 

The game is Spurs' seventh in the space of just 18 days, having beaten Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup just two days earlier.

Alli was left out of the Tottenham squad for Tuesday's shootout victory and their two most recent Premier League fixtures against Newcastle and Southampton, with rumour circulating that the England international could be on his way.

However, Mourinho insists he has been impressed with the midfielder's attitude since being frozen out - and he could be in line for a recall for their Europa League playoff.

"The only thing I can say is he's being very professional. He trained very hard," Mourinho said [via BBC Sport].

"It would be perfectly acceptable to have a lack of motivation, even a lack of professionalism for this training session [on Tuesday] but it was exactly the opposite. He has my respect and the respect of his team-mates so it is possible he plays."

There is a space in the Spurs lineup for Thursday evening's encounter due to the missing Son and continued absence of Bale, who Mourinho confirmed are both unavailable.

Son was forced off after 45 minutes against Newcastle on Sunday with a hamstring injury and subsequently did not feature in their Carabao Cup win over Chelsea, and Mourinho revealed the South Korean international could miss Spurs' next two fixtures.

“Sonny of course is not playing tomorrow [Thursday]," the Tottenham boss added [via the Express]. "He is a doubt for Sunday, I would say a big doubt. But I don’t want to say that he’s not going to play because maybe he does it and then my position is not good.”

Marquee signing Bale rejoined Spurs having picked up a knee injury on international duty with Wales, and although originally feared that he may not make his second Tottenham debut until November, Mourinho is targeting a potential return to action after the international break.

"Bale cannot play tomorrow or at the weekend," he added. "Working very hard and very professionally, but not yet for tomorrow or this weekend.

"I believe the two weeks of international will be important for his fitness and recovery to be back for the weekend after. We'll see."


Source : 90min