Tottenham will be without striker Richarlison for tomorrow’s trip to Newcastle United.
The Brazil international is struggling to overcome the knee injury that kept him out of Spurs’ 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend and he won’t be fit in time for the trip to Tyneside.
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Instead, Spurs, who don’t play next weekend due to the FA Cup semi-finals, will give him an extended break and hope he is ready for the North London derby with title-chasing Arsenal on April 28.
Ange Postecoglou said: “He’ll miss this week.
“He’s close but with the weekend off next week we feel that the last two rounds are pretty stacked with games for us and having him ready for that is more important but he’s progressing well.”
The win over Forest put Spurs in the driving seat in the race for a top-four finish and a guaranteed spot in next season’s Champions League.
Tottenham are level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa but have a crucial game in hand.
They were hammered 6-1 at St James’ Park last season but Postecoglou, who wasn’t in charge at the time, said he has no interest in watching that game back.
“No, I haven’t because there’s no reason to for me,” he added.
“It will be a tough game. We are leaving today and we have had good preparation for it. They are going through a tough time with injuries, like everyone this season, but they have probably been hurt for more of a prolonged period than anyone else.
“At home they are still a very good side, irrespective of who is out there facing them. We are going to have to match their energy, but it is the way we like to play football too.”
