Team news ahead of City - Dier back in squad

Eric Dier is back in the fold for our trip to Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday (5.30pm).

Having played such a key role this season - ever-present in the Premier League up to 1 January, centre of Antonio Conte’s three-man central defence - Eric has featured in just one of our last eight matches in all competitions after picking up a thigh injury.

It will also hand Antonio the possibility of playing Eric and Cristian Romero together for only the second time in the Premier League since his arrival in November - their only league outing together a goalless draw at Everton on 7 November with Cristian injured on international duty later that month and Eric’s injury coinciding with Cristian’s recent return.

“Eric Dier is available,” Antonio told Spurs TV after training on Friday. “This is really good news for us. It will be important to have together Cristian Romero and Eric Dier for only the second time since I’ve arrived in Tottenham.”

Oliver Skipp (groin) and Japhet Tanganga (knee) remain out. “Skippy is improving, but still not ready,” added Antonio. “It’s the same for Japhet. Then we have one problem with COVID, so we will be missing three players.”