Tottenham v APOEL: Winks starts, youngsters on bench
Harry Winks starts for Tottenham against APOEL Nicosia in a team that includes both right-backs Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier.
Despite seven first-team players being ruled out, only Winks, Moussa Sissoko and Kieran Trippier did not start in the opening Champions League group-stage win over Borussia Dortmund from the team to play in Cyprus.
Academy players Tashan Oakley-Boothe and Anthony Georgiou are on the bench as well as Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, who recently returned from injury.
Having beaten Dortmund at Wembley, and with group matches against Real Madrid to come, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino says his side must not slip up tonight.
He said: “After doing so well against Borussia Dortmund, it is a must-win. There is no excuse. For our future in the Champions League, it is so important we win.
“The fans expect us to win the game but the Champions League is so tough. I have watched APOEL play in their local league and against Real Madrid. They have good players and it will be a very dangerous game. We need to be focused.”
Subs: Vorm, Foyth, Walker-Peters, Oakley-Boothe, Georgiou, N’koudou, Llorente.
