Tottenham set to recall Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier for clash with Brighton

Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier will return to the Tottenham squad for Saturday’s match at Brighton after being left out of Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat by Inter Milan.

The defenders remained in London for “technical reasons” according to Mauricio Pochettino, who launched a stinging attack when asked if he regretted his decision after two late Inter goals condemned his side to a third straight loss.

Serge Aurier and Davinson Sanchez, their replacements, were among the visitors’ best performers on the night and the Spurs manager accused reporters of disrespecting the players who did feature in Milan.

Even so, neither Alderweireld nor Trippier are injured and they are expected to return to Pochettino’s lineup at the Amex Stadium, having been rested after reaching the World Cup semi-finals in the summer.

Spurs are still without captain Hugo Lloris, who remains sidelined with a thigh injury sustained against Manchester United before the international break, but Dele Alli could return after a hamstring problem. The England midfielder will be assessed tomorrow, while Moussa Sissoko, who has also been suffering with a hamstring issue, returned to training this week.

Meanwhile, Alli has said he pushed for next week’s Carabao Cup third-round match against Watford to be moved to his hometown of Milton Keynes. The 22-year-old came through the ranks at MK Dons before joining Spurs in 2015.

“I heard rumours before that [playing at MK] could be a possibility and I was trying to push it as much as I could,” he said. “I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be a great experience to go back there. It will be nice for the boys to see it as well because since I’ve been here I’ve been bigging it up to them all, saying how good the stadium is, so I hope it now lives up to it! It’s a great stadium and a great place. It’s where I grew up.”

Alli is eyeing a milestone, having scored 47 goals in 150 appearances for Spurs.

“I need to get three more goals!” he said. “In fact, four in the next [game], then it’s one goal every three games!

“It’s been a great journey for me so far and I couldn’t be playing at a better place at the minute. I’ve a lot of people to thank for where I am.

“Time has flown by. I can’t believe I’m 22 now! I still remember when I was 17 so I know I can’t take anything for granted and I have to keep improving.”

Meanwhile, tickets for Tottenham’s Champions League match against Barcelona at Wembley on October 3 have sold out.