Ange believes a “first class” Spurs player he has yet to select is essential to him.

This season, the player has yet to appear in any games.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has revealed that one player he has yet to select this season is extremely important to him in Spurs training.

Tottenham  vs Newcastle

The Lilywhites will meet a pretty in-form Newcastle United side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, putting them through yet another rigorous test during this crucial festive period of the Premier League calendar. Postecoglou, who suffered a 2-1 home defeat to London rivals West Ham, must now reassemble his squad for what will be a difficult match against Eddie Howe‘s side.

Newcastle is pursuing Europe once more and may fancy their chances against a faltering Tottenham side right now. Despite recent humiliations at the hands of Everton and Bournemouth, the Magpies have also secured crucial victory over Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United in their last five games.

They appear to thrive in big games, which is concerning for Tottenham, who have not won since late October. In contrast, the north Londoners have lost four of their last five games, and there is no better time to play them.

Spurs’ poor form can be attributed to a slew of injury and suspension issues that have ravaged their team in the last month. Having saying that, Newcastle has had their fair share of absences as well, with Postecoglou applauding Sunday’s opponents for how they’ve managed it.

“I think it’s fair to say Newcastle are probably the only other club who have gone through anything like we have from an injury perspective,” Postecoglou said of the Magpies.

“That will have an impact on every club.” I believe they’ve handled it reasonably well, if not very well, given the number of disruptions to their first team roster and the problems they’ve faced.

“I believe that any Premier League club that has gone through that kind of period will find it difficult to achieve consistency in results.” It will be a difficult game for us on Sunday because, once again, they have a team that possesses goal threats and works hard as a unit, and we must equal that.”

Spurs have had little issue with the position between the sticks, with keeper Guglielmo Vicario dazzling since coming from Empoli in the summer.

Except for a disaster, both Fraser Forster and Hugo Lloris appear unlikely to be considered, with sources suggesting Lloris could depart Spurs in January.

Ange describes Lloris as “first-class” and “important” in training.
However, Postecoglou insists that the Frenchman has been “absolutely first class” behind the scenes. Speaking to the media this week (via football365), the Australian also stated that Lloris is a “important” character in Tottenham training.

“[Lloris’] future is not in my hands. Hugo and the club must make a decision. “I don’t have that power, and I don’t want that power,” Postecoglou stated when questioned about his immediate future, as his contract is slated to end next summer.

“Hugo is a member of this squad, and I care about how he trains every day.” If he wasn’t, I’d be dealing with it, but I haven’t had to since he’s been outstanding.

“As a manager, I don’t take that for granted because it could cause me problems.” Most managers’ biggest issues come from players who aren’t on the pitch. It’s entirely up to him.”

While Lloris is unlikely to play, his experience and presence in the Tottenham dressing room could be crucial during this crisis.