Setback for Tottenham as ‘gutted’ Jan Vertonghen suffers ligament damage

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino says it looks “very bad” following 4-0 win over West Brom.

Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen, right, tweeted about being out for a while due to injury. Will Oliver / EPA

Tottenham Hotspur’s Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen damaged ankle ligaments in Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League win over West Bromwich Albion, British media reported on Tuesday.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said it looked “very bad” when he spoke to reporters after the match in which Vertonghen rolled his ankle chasing down the ball on the touchline.

On Tuesday, Vertonghen, 29, tweeted: “Gutted to be injured but will be back as soon as I can.”

Tottenham have been playing a 3-5-2 formation with fellow Belgian Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier alongside Vertonghen.

Pochettino played fullback Ben Davies on the left of a back three for the second half on Saturday and could keep him there or play Austria international Kevin Wimmer.

The Argentine could also return to a back four with England international Dier alongside Alderweireld.

Second-placed Tottenham, who trail Chelsea by seven points, visit Manchester City on Saturday.

* Reuters

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