Kane requires second scan – Pochettino

Asked if Vertonghen would be that player, he added: “I can not give names but maybe yes it is a centre-back. Mauricio [Pochettino] will play someone who is really motivated”.

Walker, 26, followed left back Danny Rose, midfielders Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Tom Carroll, and young prospect Harry Winks in committing his future to Spurs.

Pochettino hinted at further new deals, while also poking fun at conspiracy theories over his unerringly consistent appearance in promotional photos. Of course we are one player out but everyone else can step in.

He said: “We know how they love Tottenham and it’s an opportunity to share a good moment with them and then I think it’s an important game for us”.

“Boro aren’t a bad team, I watched them in a couple of games and they just need a bit more belief that they can win”, talkSPORT regular Quinn told the “Alan Brazil Up Front” podcast. They come through the academy but they have the quality to impress us and play for the first team. They need to ask us to stay here. We need to be positive about his recovery, but he is very positive about his recovery. He has shown his commitment to us.

Kane’s absence will give Janssen an extended run in Pochettino’s starting line-up and the Dutchman opened his account in a 5-0 thrashing of Gillingham on Wednesday, as Spurs cruised into the EFL Cup fourth round.

Pochettino said: “It is important for the club and for the player too”. Pochettino is a great coach and a great tactician, so I’m not so much questioning him as a coach in general, but one of the aspects within his approach – the training. “It was a very small issue”.

But with Spurs possibly having one eye on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash at CSKA Moscow, and given the injury to striker Harry Kane, can Boro take advantage?

Rose has not played for Spurs since August because of a hamstring injury but could return on Saturday when Tottenham are away to Middlesbrough.

With striker Harry Kane sidelined with an ankle ligament injury, Pochettino’s squad is already being tested and Janssen has to shoulder responsibility for maintaining Tottenham’s goal threat.

So who could he field for the trip to the Riverside Stadium?

The winger then got a deserved goal of his own, driving hard into the bottom corner after Janssen had shown good strength to create the goal.