Tottenham midfielder Sandro ruled out of pre-season tour of United States and Canada after picking up a virus

Both Sandro and Vlad Chiriches remained in London as the rest of the squad flew out to the US for matches against the Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC and the Chicago Fire

Brazilian midfielder Sandro has been withdrawn from Tottenham's squad for the pre-season tour of the United States and Canada because of a virus, the Barclays Premier League club confirmed.

Spurs have headed across the Atlantic for matches against Major League Soccer sides the Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC, where they should face former striker Jermain Defoe, and the Chicago Fire as new manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to assess the squad ahead of his first season at White Hart Lane.

However, Sandro - who has been linked with a move away to Italian side Napoli and Russia's Zenit St Petersburg - did not travel, while defender Vlad Chiriches will also remain in London for treatment on a back problem.

A statement on the club's official website, http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com, read: "Vlad Chiriches and Sandro have been withdrawn from the travelling party for the pre-season tour of the United States and Canada.

"Romania defender Vlad has been complaining of stiffness in his lower back and is continuing to be assessed to determine the extent of the problem, while Sandro is recovering from a virus and has been kept behind on medical advice to avoid the risk of spreading the infection."

Last weekend, it was revealed striker Emmanuel Adebayor needed a short stay in hospital after suffering from malaria.

Tottenham are also set to face Celtic in Helsinki before a final warm-up match against Schalke at White Hart Lane ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season opener at West Ham on August 16.

PA