Tottenham v Norwich preview: Pochettino could risk rotating against dangerous Canaries

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to start a winning run when they host Norwich City on Boxing Day.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are fourth in the table and have only lost twice in the Premier League this season, but eight draws mean that they have lost pace with frontrunners Arsenal and Leicester City.

Last weekend’s 2-0 win at Southampton was an excellent response to the home defeat to Newcastle United, but Spurs will want to string victories together. Their best winning run this season is three.

Although Norwich toppled Manchester United at Old Trafford in their previous outing, Pochettino might see their visit to White Hart Lane as an easier game than the trip to high-flying Watford 48 hours later.

Any rotation of his squad therefore might come against the Canaries. Kyle Walker, Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen may all be held back, but Harry Kane is likely to start a 46th straight league game.

Kieran Trippier may be called upon for a full league debut for Spurs. Son Heung-Min, Nacer Chadli, Tom Carroll and Nabil Bentaleb are also in contention if Pochettino chooses to shuffle his pack.

Summer buy Clinton N’Jie has been ruled out for up to three months after knee surgery. Ryan Mason and Alex Pritchard are also sidelined. Danny Rose has recovered from illness, The Guardian reports.

Alex Neil may also consider resting some players. Monday’s home game against rock-bottom Aston Villa is much more winnable despite the confidence victory at United would have brought his Norwich side.

The Canaries should also be boosted by their recent record versus Spurs. They have lost only once on their last four trips to the white half of North London, and beat them in their most recent top-flight meeting in 2014.

Declan Rudd will continue to keep ex-England goalkeeper John Ruddy out of the side. Youssouf Mulumbu could be recalled at the expense of Wes Hoolahan should Neil wish to stiffen up his midfield.

Steven Whittaker, Jonny Howson and Graham Dorrans are among those who may benefit from some festive rotation. Loanees Andre Wisdom and Matt Jarvis missed the United win and remain out.

Newcastle's Ayoze Perez Claims Manchester United and Tottenham Interest

Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez has claimed both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in his services.

But the Spaniard, who recently scored a 93rd-minute winner against the latter, seems happy to stay put at St. James' Park.

​"There is truth in the talk about interest in me. It's rewarding for me," Perez told Radio Club Tenerife.

"There is much truth in the interest from Tottenham and Man United, but my place is at Newcastle."

Perez arrived in the north east from Segunda Liga outfit Tenerife for £1.4m 18 months ago, and impressed with seven goals in his debut Premier League campaign.

The 22-year-old is only three shy of that tally this time around, despite starting in only 10 of the Magpies' top-flight matches.

United have only Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial as recognised strikers after allowing James Wilson to join Brighton & Hove Albion on loan, while Spurs are down to just Harry Kane and Son Heung-min after Clinton N'Jie was ruled out for up to three months through injury.

The Red Devils' need is arguably more pressing, with Rooney and Martial mustering three fewer league goals (6) than Kane between them.

Perez's contract has three-and-a-half-years left to run, and a £15m price tag was reportedly slapped on his head last summer.​

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino keen to buy in domestic market

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to sign players already familiar with English football when the January transfer window opens.

Pochettino is likely to target a new striker to offer support to Harry Kane, with Clinton Njie likely to miss the next three months after undergoing knee surgery.

Kane remains the club's only frontline striker, with Son Heung-min, Nacer Chadli and Njie - when fit - able to operate in attack, although all three are happier as attacking midfielders. 

"Always it is difficult to bring in players from outside [England]," said Pochettino.

"For them to adapt in the Premier League, to the culture, the language - it is difficult to bring in players from outside. You need to take the right profile.

"I prefer to take players from England first. If we have the option to take players from here, I prefer it - from the Premier League, or the Championship or League One."

Valencia's Alvaro Negredo and Michy Batshuayi of Marseille have been linked with moves to White Hart Lane this week, although Spurs are reluctant, according to Sky sources, to go back in for West Brom striker Saido Berahino after having four bids rejected for him over the summer.

Clinton N'jie could be out for around three months

Berahino has scored only three goals since then and has not started in the league for the Baggies since October.

"It is not easy, the transfer window now is not easy," added Pochettino.

"You need one specific player and you can find this player but if not, it is better not to take any decision and work hard with the players you have and wait for the next transfer window.

"We track all different places, different positions because it is our job to try to be aware of what is happening in the market. This does not mean we will sign some players.

"It means only that you are aware and you track those players for the next transfer window in the summer."

Winger Andros Townsend appears set to leave the club, though, having not played a minute for the first team since a public falling out with a club fitness coach in November, with a loan move the likely solution.

Townsend was left on the bench when Pochettino fielded several fringe players against Monaco in the Europa League and the Tottenham head coach suggested a move away from White Hart Lane may be on the cards.

"I am happy with his response, the only problem we have is the number of players in front," said Pochettino.

"Sometimes when you give your place, it is tough to come back into the squad. Always when the player doesn't play, they want to try to find the better solution to play and show their quality.

"Maybe this is a decision we need to speak [about] in the future."

Kim Young-gwon named player of year

Guangzhou Evergrande defender Kim Young-gwon was named the male Player of the Year by the Korea Football Association, Wednesday, narrowly defeating Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min who'd won the title the two previous years.

Hyundai Steel Red Angels FC midfielder Jo So-hyun was awarded the female Player of the Year for her solid performances on the national team and her club.

Kim's triumph came after the national team's solid defense throughout this year. The Koreans did not yield a goal in 17 out of total 20 A matches this year, with Kim appearing in 14 of them. The 25-year-old spent 1,034 minutes on the field for the national team ― the most among all defenders ― and captained the Taeguk Warriors during their East Asian Cup victory in August.

As a mainstay of Guangzhou Evergrande's backline, Kim contributed to the club's top-place finish in the 2015 Chinese Super League as well as the Asian Champions League title.

"There are other contenders who are stronger than me, but the only reason I won this award is that I played as hard as I could," Kim said during the KFA awards ceremony at Hyochang-dong, Seoul.

Before the ceremony, expectations were high that either Son or Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng would win the award, given the two U.K.-based players have contributed to the national team and enjoyed success in the early half of this year. However, the two hit a slump in the middle of the 2015-16 season, while Kim showed a consistent performance throughout this year.

Jo was given the award after she captained her side to its first knockout appearance at the Women's World Cup in Canada in June. The 27-year-old also had a solid season with her club, leading the Red Angels to the third consecutive Women's K-League title.

The annual award has been presented to Korean footballers for their performance on the national team and in the K-League since 1969. From 1969 to 1981, 13 football legends have been honored, including Kim Ho, Lee Hoe-taek, Cha Bum-keun, Kim Ho-kon and Cho Kwang-rae.

After skipping the 1982 award, citing the national team's dismal performance in international competitions, two more footballers, including Huh Jung-moo, received the award before it was abolished in 1985, as the award was deemed to overlap the K-League's MVP award.

As Korean footballers started to make it into European leagues and show solid performances in the late 2000s, the award was reinstated in 2010, giving former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung and Chelsea LFC midfielder Ji So-yun the honor. From then, the award was only given to Europe-based players, except for Jeon Eun-ha playing for Daejeon Sportstoto WFC.

Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng won two consecutive titles in 2011 and 2012, while Tottenham Hotspurs' Son Heung-min collected the trophy in 2013 and last year. In the women's division, Ji won the honor four times in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014, four of the six years it's been offered.

Tottenham Transfer Special: £25m Berahino move, cut-price winger exit, defender eyed

EXPRESS SPORT looks at what could happen at Tottenham in the January transfer market.

Tottenham have out-run most of their Premier League opponents and have only lost twice so far this campaign.

Though their energy levels have dropped off in the past few matches, Spurs have one of the youngest squads in England's top flight. 

Maurico Pochettino's philosophy has had the desired effect and he has rightly received the plaudits.

He has helped to shake off their inferiority complex against the big teams and made them mentally stronger.

What do they need?

Dele Alli and Eric Dier have been two of the club's standout players, and while Harry Kane has rediscovered his goalscoring touch after a slow start to the season, another striker is needed to take the burden off him.

Another centre-back would be handy, especially if Toby Alderweireld or Jan Vertonghen were to get injured.

How much can they spend?

A lot of fringe players were sold in the summer and their only big expense was £22million signing Son Heung-Min. There should be plenty in the coffers if Pochettino fancies bringing in another striker.

Who might they sign?

Saido Berahino has been touted as a possible target. Tottenham don't appear to be deterred after West Brom refused to sell the forward in the summer. Berahino has been frozen out of the first-team picture this campaign and he would give some Spurs some extra pace up front.

Chelsea have also been monitoring Berahino, so Spurs could face serious competition and it is thought they would have to pay upwards of £25m for his signature.

Who might leave?

Andros Townsend's days at White Hart Lane appear to be numbered. He hasn't played for the club for nearly two months.

Newcastle and Aston Villa expressed an interest in Townsend before the start of the season, when he was thought to be valued at £12m.

However, he could now leave for a fraction of that price.