Alderweireld has Tottenham future, insists Pochettino

Belgium international Toby Alderweireld's prospects of game time before the World Cup have been given a boost by his Tottenham boss.

Toby Alderweireld still has a future at Tottenham despite falling out of favour this season, says manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Belgium defender Alderweireld has not appeared in the Premier League since October and has been left out of Spurs' last two matchday squads.

He could win a recall for Saturday's home clash with Manchester City after left-back Danny Rose was ruled out with a calf problem.

But while City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with Alderweireld, Pochettino says his absence is purely a matter of competition for places.

"I think we make a drama sometimes for small things," the Spurs boss told reporters on Thursday.

"After 14 games unbeaten there's no point talking about a player that did not play and was injured for a long time. Toby is still our player [with a] two-year contract.

"I'm sure he's going to play [before] the end of the season. He's doing well, he’s training and he only needs to wait for his opportunity."