Spurs handed big boost ahead of Carabao Cup tie
By Tom Vinall
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost ahead of their Carabao Cup tie against Manchester City next week, as Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Jeremy Doku is injured, and is unlikely to return before the November international break.
This means that he will be unavailable for the Carabao Cup showdown next week, when Spurs host Manchester City on Wednesday night.
What is also worth noting, is that if the end of the November international break is the sort of time frame that we are looking at, the Belgian international might also miss the game against Spurs in the league, when the two lock horns at the Etihad on the 23rd of November - the first game back after the break.
Whilst Doku can be an inconsistent player, there is no doubt that his pace is a threat against the high line that Spurs play. In the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in May, he managed to win the penalty that secured the three points for City, twenty minutes after coming on as a substitute.
In the same report, Pep mentions that Jack Grealish has picked up an injury that rules him out of their game against Southampton, meaning he could possibly miss Wednesday's tie too.
Later on in his press conference, Pep refers to City only having "14 or 15 players available", as he expressed his concern at the numbers, or lack there of. This game really could be a massive opportunity for Spurs.
All those quotes from Ange about how he always wins trophies in his second season - well, now is time to strike while the iron is hot. The trophy would open up an unbelievable amount if Spurs were to knock City out on Wednesday night.
Interestingly enough, earlier on this season, Pep said "I would say the next round [of the Carabao Cup] we are going to play players who, I announce it now, who played less minutes, or the second team. We are not going to waste energy for this competition, for sure. I don't know what is going to happen, if I have a lot of injuries, then I'm going to play the second team. It's a good competition, to keep the rhythm. That's for sure."
He did say this before the draw gave us this tie, it should be caveat-ed - but it makes for encouraging reading nevertheless. In any case, it will be good to not have to face the pace and trickery of Doku next Wednesday.