Sports Mole

Manchester City are set to hand a first-team start to 16-year-old defender Kaden Braithwaite on Wednesday night when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

With four away matches to come over the next 11 days for the Citizens, Pep Guardiola is expected to heavily rotate his side from the one which narrowly beat Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Stefan Ortega will take the spot in between the sticks as Ederson drops to the bench, whilst defenders such as Nathan Ake and John Stones could provide a sprinkling of first-team steel to the back four.

With Rodri sidelined for the remainder of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, the Citizens are exploring new options in the engine room, with 19-year-old Nico O'Reilly preparing to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Guardiola has stated that he is not willing to take any risks in terms of team selection for this EFL Cup clash, meaning that Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias might not even feature in the matchday squad.

Both starting the third-round success over Watford last month, Jack Grealish (knock) and Jeremy Doku (discomfort) are occupying beds in the Man City medical room.

The Citizens have failed to provide specific return dates for Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, who are fighting back from thigh and groin issues respectively.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Braithwaite; Ake, O'Reilly, Savio, McAtee, Gundogan, Nunes; Foden

> Click here to see how Tottenham could line up for this fixture

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Aiming to end their 16-year trophy drought, Tottenham Hotspur will welcome English champions Manchester City to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for an EFL Cup fourth-round clash on Wednesday night.

The Lilywhites will be looking to bounce back following a loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday, whilst the Citizens are striving to build on a narrow win over struggling Southampton a day earlier.

Match preview

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Following back-to-back wins in North London over West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar since the return of club football after the international break, Tottenham's early-season inconsistency reared its ugly head once again on Sunday afternoon, when the Lilywhites handed Crystal Palace their maiden win of the campaign.

The visitors to Selhurst Park did little to deserve anything tangible from their trip across the capital, with an unforgivable chunk of lazy build-up from the back allowing towering striker Jean-Philippe Mateta to net his third goal of the league campaign, securing maximum points for the Eagles.

After their fifth-placed finish and subsequent Europa League qualification during Ange Postecoglou's first season at the club, another push for Champions League football is the remit for Tottenham in 2024-25, however Wednesday's hosts are currently occupying eighth spot in the Premier League standings.

Despite facing English and European powerhouses Manchester City in a last-16 tie, this competition arguably represents the best chance for Spurs to lift their first piece of major silverware since the EFL Cup final triumph of 2008, when goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Jonathan Woodgate sealed a 2-1 success over Chelsea at the Wembley final.

Postecoglou's troops were two minutes away from an embarrassing third-round exit last month at the home of Championship outfit Coventry City, however last-gasp strikes from right-back Djed Spence and winger Brennan Johnson spared the blushes of a much-changed Spurs starting XI.

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Since the 1-1 draw at St James' Park on September 28, Manchester City have enjoyed a flawless October schedule, winning five straight contests across the Premier League and Champions League, including a one-goal success over relegation-threatened Southampton at the Etihad on the weekend.

Finding the net for the 11th time in the Premier League on his ninth appearance in 2024-25, Erling Haaland must have thought he had opened the floodgates on the blue side of Manchester after breaching the goal of Aaron Ramsdale in the fifth minute, although the Citizens were forced to settle for a narrow victory over the Saints.

After back-to-back wins and clean sheets at the Etihad over the past week, Pep Guardiola's troops now face a daunting four-match away run in the space of 11 days prior to November's international break, meaning that the Premier League champions' close-knit squad will be pushed to the limit.

Wednesday's visitors to North London have loosened their chokehold on this competition in recent times following a period of domination during the late 2010s and early 2020s, with the Citizens exiting the EFL Cup at the quarter-final stage or earlier in two of the last three seasons.

Man City have already bettered their third-round exit of the 2023-24 campaign at the hands of Newcastle by squeezing past second-tier side Watford at the Etihad last month, with first-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes rendering Tom Ince's late strike a mere consolation for Tom Cleverley's Hornets.

Tottenham Hotspur EFL Cup form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Manchester City EFL Cup form:

Manchester City form (all competitions):

Team News

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Tottenham are expected to be without the services of Son Heung-min, with the talismanic South Korean missing matches against AZ Alkmaar and Crystal Palace over the past week owing to a thigh injury.

At just 17 years of age, academy graduate Mikey Moore was handed his full Premier League debut at Selhurst Park on Sunday, and the exciting attacker could be in line for another starting berth on Wednesday night.

A goalscoring hero during the third-round success over Coventry last month, Spence is set to be sidelined until late November due to a groin issue.

Deeming Wednesday's trip to Tottenham as the least important of the upcoming quartet of away fixtures, Man City boss Guardiola is set to rotate his side heavily, with the Spaniard suggesting that he could use a raft of academy players.

Earning game time in the previous round versus Watford, 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite and Nico O'Reilly could be in line for spots in the XI once again.

First-team stars such as Kevin De Bruyne (groin) and Kyle Walker (thigh) remain sidelined without specific return dates, adding to the lack of options for the Citizens.

Man City also have a pair of long-term absentees, with Oscar Bobb sidelined until the New Year, whilst Rodri will not play again this season following a cruciate ligament injury.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Betancur, Maddison; Werner, Johnson, Richarlison

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Braithwaite, Ake; O'Reilly, Savio, McAtee, Gundogan, Nunes; Foden

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester City

With Manchester City set to include a number of academy players in their squad, Tottenham will sense the opportunity to book their spot in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

That being said, a Guardiola side littered with first-team stars should still be more than a match for the Lilywhites, who we expect to exit the EFL Cup following a narrow defeat in North London.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur may have allegedly received a blow in their efforts to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.

Since the start of the season, head coach Ange Postecoglou has made a point of saying that he generally wins trophies in his second year in charge of a team.

However, on Sunday afternoon, Spurs suffered their fourth defeat in nine Premier League fixtures as they went down by a 1-0 scoreline at Crystal Palace.

Scoring goals has generally not been a problem, however. Only Manchester City (20) and Chelsea (19) have scored more than the North Londoners (18) in the top flight during 2024-25.

Nevertheless, succumbing to a defeat against a Palace side that had previously not won in the Premier League this season will be of concern to Postecoglou.

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Spurs suffer blow in Semenyo chase?

Despite signing a number of young talent across the summer and the emergence of Mikey Moore, Spurs are expected to continue their pursuit of fresh talent over the coming transfer windows.

A recent report indicated that Spurs have become admirers of Semenyo, who has become a first-team regular at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola.

However, according to Football Insider, Bournemouth may be ready to react to the interest and their player's impressive form.

Having been an ever-present in the Cherries' starting lineup in the Premier League this campaign, Semenyo has chipped in with three goals and one assist.

That is on the back of penning a five-year contract in the summer to strengthen Bournemouth's position when it comes to fending off any proposals from bigger clubs.

That said, it is alleged that another new contract, potentially with a pay-rise may be on its way for the 24-year-old, particularly if he continues to impress.

Mick Brown, a former scout for Manchester United, Spurs and West Ham United who was speaking to the outlet, is of the opinion that Bournemouth may need to react courtesy of the increasing level of interest being led by Semenyo's agents.

Bournemouth in line to make huge profit?

Having cashed in on Dominic Solanke during the summer transfer window, Bournemouth are no longer in a position where they have to desperately make any big-money sales.

Nevertheless, there will be an acknowledgement that opportunities could arise to make a substantial profit on the £10m that they paid Bristol City in January 2023.

Since then, Semenyo has contributed 12 goals and three assists in 53 Premier League appearances, 17 of those outings coming as a substitute.

Tottenham Hotspur 17-year-old Mikey Moore will make his first Premier League start in Sunday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

The 2007-born winger - who has already started against Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League this season - has been chosen by Ange Postecoglou to replace captain Son Heung-min, who misses out through injury once again.

Moore will start on the left flank ahead of Timo Werner, who must accept a place on the bench amid his current wasteful streak, while Wilson Odobert misses out entirely following his recent recovery from a hamstring injury.

Moore for Son is the only change that Postecoglou has made to his starting XI from the 4-1 win over West Ham United last weekend, while Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has made three alterations to the side that lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Ex-Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is one of the players to lose his place as Jean-Philippe Mateta is recalled to the attack, while Ismaila Sarr also replaces Daichi Kamada in the final third.

Finally, Adam Wharton makes an expected return to the hosts' XI over Will Hughes, having been an unused substitute in the defeat to Forest following a minor injury.

Tottenham starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Moore

Subs: Forster, Davies, Dragusin, Gray, Bentancur, Sarr, Bergvall, Werner, Richarlison

Manchester City will be aiming to make it six wins in a row in all competitions when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur in the last-16 stage of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola's side will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Southampton in the league, with the result moving them two points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Citizens, who recorded a 2-1 victory over Watford in the last stage of the competition, are eight-time winners of the League Cup, with their last success in the competition coming back in 2020-21.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with Ange Postecoglou's side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rodri

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Man City will be without the services of Rodri for the rest of the campaign after he suffered knee ligament damage in the clash with Arsenal earlier this season.

Oscar Bobb

Status: Out

Type of injury: Leg fracture

Possible return date: Unknown

Oscar Bobb sustained a leg fracture ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, but he is now in the latter stages of his recovery, with Guardiola recently revealing that the attacker is targeting a return between January and February of next year.

Kevin De Bruyne

Status: Out

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: Unknown

De Bruyne has missed Man City's last eight matches with a groin injury; the Belgium international has returned to training, but it is still unclear when the experienced attacker will be available for selection.

Kyle Walker

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Walker, who has only featured on seven occasions this season, was again absent against Southampton on Saturday due to a knee problem, and it is unclear when the England international will be available for selection once again.

Jack Grealish

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: November 2 (vs. Bournemouth)

Grealish will again be unavailable for selection against Tottenham in the EFL Cup, but the England international should be fit for Man City's clash with Bournemouth in the Premier League on November 2.

Jeremy Doku

Status: Out

Type of injury: Muscle

Possible return date: November 9 (vs. Brighton)

Doku was another absentee against Southampton, with the attacker dealing with an unspecified knock, and Guardiola has said that he will be out for longer than Grealish, suggesting at a potential return the week after the Englishman.

MANCHESTER CITY'S SUSPENSION LIST

Seeking a sixth straight win over London rivals Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur make the trek to Selhurst Park for Sunday's Premier League showdown.

The Lilywhites eked out a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League in midweek, while the Eagles lost by the same scoreline to Nottingham Forest on Monday, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

CRYSTAL PALACE vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

© Imago

CRYSTAL PALACE

Out: Rob Holding (club suspension), Chadi Riad (knee), Chris Richards (thigh), Matheus Franca (groin), Cheick Doucoure (toe)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Henderson; Lacroix, Chalobah, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Kamada, Nketiah, Eze

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Djed Spence (groin)

Doubtful: Son Heung-min (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Odobert

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

One of four Premier League matches taking place on an action-packed Sunday, London rivals Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur butt heads at Selhurst Park in a 2pm kickoff.

Ange Postecoglou's team are on a mission to make it three successive wins in all competitions, having conquered West Ham United 4-1 last weekend before a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday.

On the other hand, Oliver Glasner's side are still searching for their first Premier League success of the season and were found wanting at Nottingham Forest on Monday, suffering a 1-0 defeat.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

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Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 65

Crystal Palace wins: 13

Draws: 15

Spurs wins: 37

Not the most frequent fixture on the football calendar during the 20th century, Palace and Tottenham have now been familiar foes since the Eagles established themselves as a fully-fledged member of the Premier League.

There have now been a total of 65 clashes between the two capital outfits, and the latter inevitably lead the way with 37 victories compared to just 13 for the Eagles, while 15 more ties have ended level.

Palace do not have to go too far back for their most recent victory over the Lilywhites - a 3-0 thumping during the short-lived Nuno Espirito Santo reign - but Tottenham have since taught their London foes a footballing lesson time and time again.

Indeed, Spurs are on a five-match winning sequence against the Eagles, following up a 2-1 Selhurst Park win in October 2023 with a 3-1 home success in March 2024, where a stellar Eberechi Eze free kick was for nought.

Since Palace earned their Premier League stars again in 2013, the Eagles have only managed to best Tottenham four times in 24 attempts, and two of those victories have come in the FA Cup, including a 1-0 White Hart Lane success in 2016.

That triumph - which came via a Martin Kelly goal - marked the last time that Palace got the better of Spurs away from home, as they are still waiting for their first positive result, be it a win or draw, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With 19 victories to show from 30 Premier League matches against Palace, Tottenham boast a better win rate against the Eagles than they do against any other London side in the competition at 63%.

Harry Kane bagged 11 goals in this fixture for Tottenham and is the highest Palace-Spurs scorer on record, but his former deadly double act partner Son Heung-min is not that far behind with nine of his own.

Last 20 meetings

Mar 02, 2024: Spurs 3-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Oct 27, 2023: Crystal Palace 1-2 Spurs (Premier League)

May 06, 2023: Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Jan 04, 2023: Crystal Palace 0-4 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 26, 2021: Spurs 3-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Sep 11, 2021: Crystal Palace 3-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Mar 07, 2021: Spurs 4-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Dec 13, 2020: Crystal Palace 1-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Jul 26, 2020: Crystal Palace 1-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 14, 2019: Spurs 4-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Apr 03, 2019: Spurs 2-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Jan 27, 2019: Crystal Palace 2-0 Spurs (FA Cup Fourth Round)

Nov 10, 2018: Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Feb 25, 2018: Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Nov 05, 2017: Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Apr 26, 2017: Crystal Palace 0-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Aug 20, 2016: Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Feb 21, 2016: Spurs 0-1 Crystal Palace (FA Cup Fifth Round)

Jan 23, 2016: Crystal Palace 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 20, 2015: Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Last 10 Premier League meetings

Mar 02, 2024: Spurs 3-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Oct 27, 2023: Crystal Palace 1-2 Spurs (Premier League)

May 06, 2023: Spurs 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Jan 04, 2023: Crystal Palace 0-4 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 26, 2021: Spurs 3-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Sep 11, 2021: Crystal Palace 3-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Mar 07, 2021: Spurs 4-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Dec 13, 2020: Crystal Palace 1-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Jul 26, 2020: Crystal Palace 1-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 14, 2019: Spurs 4-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Read more on Crystal Palace vs Spurs

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Son decision and Maddison milestone: How Spurs could line up against Palace

Mateta or Nketiah? How Palace could line up against Spurs

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Chasing a second London derby win in the space of two weeks, a revitalised Tottenham Hotspur meet lowly Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in Sunday's Premier League contest.

The Lilywhites got the better of AZ Alkmaar by a goal to nil in the Europa League in midweek, while Oliver Glasner's meek men lost by the same scoreline at Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Match preview

Well on their way to a guaranteed last-16 place in the Europa League, Tottenham made it three for three in the continental competition on Thursday evening, when AZ Alkmaar left North London empty-handed thanks to Richarlison's confident second-half penalty.

Spurs could and probably should have marched to victory by a greater margin, only to be let down by their own wastefulness, but that was not the case when they hit local rivals West Ham United for four in Premier League gameweek eight, coming from a goal down to hammer the Hammers.

Firmly in European contention amid a mixed start to proceedings in 2024-25, Spurs enter the weekend seventh in the Premier League table and just four points shy of the Champions League places, although they are only three points better off than Brentford in 13th spot.

As much as Ange Postecoglou has been heralded for bringing entertaining football back to North London, the Australian has never mastered the art of Premier League away games, as Spurs head to Crystal Palace having won just four of their last 17 top-flight matches on their travels.

However, Tottenham have notched multiple goals in each of their last four away matches in all tournaments, hardly a surprise when taking a peek at their attacking statistics; 145 shots and 55 shots on target are the second-best records of their kind in the Premier League behind Manchester City.

A side who could do with taking a leaf out of Tottenham's attacking book, Crystal Palace should have sensed an opportunity to finally end their Premier League hoodoo on Monday evening, where they squared up to a Forest side without the suspended Morgan Gibbs-White or James Ward-Prowse.

Alas, the Eagles were found wanting in the final third again, and a solitary goal from Chris Wood was all it took to subject Crystal Palace to their third defeat on the spin, one that leaves them still searching for that elusive first top-flight win of the campaign.

A far cry from the scintillating attacking unit at the back end of the 2023-24 season, Palace have plummeted into 18th place in the standings and are one of four teams still without a single English top-flight win this term, the others being Southampton, Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The hosts can only take minimal comfort from the fact that two of their three points this season have been won at Selhurst Park, as they have failed to score in three of their four Premier League home matches in 2024-25, and just two goals in front of their own fans is the worst home attacking record in the division.

The history books also make for grim reading for those of a Palace persuasion, as the Eagles have been beaten in each of their last five matches against Tottenham, who followed up a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park with a 3-1 home victory last term.

Crystal Palace Premier League form:

Crystal Palace form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Spurs' ruthlessness against AZ suffered in the absence of captain Son Heung-min, who was rested in midweek due to being "a bit sore" following the win over West Ham, which came just after he had battled back from a previous hamstring issue.

Postecoglou has now confirmed that the 32-year-old should not be back for Sunday's game either, so a three-way battle for the left-wing spot should ensue between Timo Werner and two teenage talents in Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert.

Son joins Djed Spence (groin) as the visitors' only two missing players, and plenty of changes are afoot; James Maddison and Destiny Udogie are the only starters from midweek who should hold their places.

Palace also have a few concerns on the fitness front, as Chadi Riad (knee), Chris Richards (thigh) and Matheus Franca (groin) are all out of contention, and the visit of Spurs should also come too soon for toe victim Cheick Doucoure to return.

Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner will at least be back in the squad after being unable to face parent club Forest, but the USA international should take his usual seat on the bench, even if Dean Henderson should have done better for Wood's winner.

Speaking of erstwhile Gunners, Eddie Nketiah - if he plays - will have a barren run to end on Sunday; the Palace number nine has gone nearly a year without finding the net in the Premier League since his hat-trick against Sheffield United in October 2023.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:

Henderson; Lacroix, Chalobah, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Kamada, Nketiah, Eze

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Odobert

We say: Crystal Palace 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham may have struggled to find their attacking bite against AZ, but Postecoglou did put out a second-string team, and his well-rested big hitters should have no problem teaching a profligate Palace a footballing lesson.

With Jean-Philippe Mateta losing his touch, Eberechi Eze struggling for form and Michael Olise long gone, Glasner's men just have not found a Plan B in the final third, and their wait for a win will surely go on.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur will look to make it three wins from three to start the Europa League campaign when they welcome AZ Alkmaar to North London on Thursday.

Ange Postecoglou's side have won six of their last seven games, and have not lost a Europa League home game since moving to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, while visitors AZ are in the middle of their worst run of form for 22 years.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. AZ ALKMAAR

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Djed Spence (groin)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall; Moore, Richarlison, Werner

AZ ALKMAAR

Out: Wouter Goes (unknown), Lequincio Zeefuik (unknown), Mexx Meerdink (knock)

Doubtful: Ibrahim Sadiq (muscle), Sem Westerveld (knee), Lewis Schouten (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Penetra, Dekker, Wolfe; Clasie, Mijnans, Koopmeiners; Buurmeester, Parrott, Van Bommel

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed that Son Heung-min will not be involved in Thursday's Europa League clash with AZ Alkmaar.

The Spurs skipper returned from a hamstring problem in the weekend's 4-1 thrashing of West Ham United in the Premier League, marking his comeback with a goal against Julen Lopetegui's side.

However, Son was a notable absentee from Spurs' training session on Wednesday morning, fuelling fears that he may have suffered a fresh setback after spending three games out with his initial hamstring problem.

Postecoglou was asked about Son's fitness straight away in his pre-game press conference, and the Australian confirmed that the 32-year-old would not be involved on Thursday, although that was always the plan regardless of how he fared at the weekend.

Djed Spence was also absent from team training after picking up a groin strain last week, but Postecoglou did not deliver a detailed update on him, saying: "Sonny was a bit sore after the weekend, he was never going to be involved tomorrow anyway because he missed a bit," as quoted by football.london.

Postecoglou provides positive Richarlison, Wilson Odobert updates

"So we are just leaving him out of tomorrow and see how he is from there. Djed Spence trained individually today. Everyone else was out there."

Son's absence could open the door for Richarlison or Wilson Odobert to earn some minutes in his place, as the former endeavours to make his first start of the season in any competition after returning from his own issue off the bench at the weekend.

Asked if the Brazilian could start Thursday's match, Postecoglou replied: "Yeah, yeah. Richy got through the weekend really well, he's trained, this is almost the second week of training now, so he's ready to go in terms of being available, for sure."

However, the Tottenham boss is unsurprisingly taking a more cautious approach with Odobert, who has missed Spurs' last six games in all competitions with the hamstring injury he suffered against Coventry City in the EFL Cup last month.

"Yeah, potentially," Postecoglou replied when asked if Odobert could see the field against AZ. "Again, we've got to be a bit more careful with him because he's missed a lot.

"He's only had this week of training. He'll be involved tomorrow, in the squad. Game-time will be game-dependent with him but good to get him back and after this week he should be fully available."

Postecoglou responds to Tottenham fine from West Ham incident

Earlier on Wednesday, Tottenham were fined £20,000 by the Football Association after admitting to a charge of failing to control their players in the win over West Ham, where a late fracas saw Irons attacker Mohammed Kudus sent off.

Postecoglou was loath to discuss the incident in detail, though, saying: "We've been fined. All I said was I think we handled it the best we could but the FA thought it wasn't a good look and has fined us for it."

Tottenham boast a perfect record of six points from their first two games of the 2024-25 Europa League, seeing off Qarabag 3-1 before a nervy 2-1 win over Ferencvaros at the start of October.

Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar triumphed 3-2 over Elfsborg in their opening battle before losing 2-0 to La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao on matchday two.