Tottenham squad will be rotated - but Mauricio Pochettino doesn't want to 'think too much about the future'

Demanding schedule includes final of the Capital One Cup

Roberto Soldado gives Spurs the perfect start last night as he volleys home direct from Paulinho’s corner (AP)

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino admits he will have to rotate his starting line-up to accommodate Spurs' demanding schedule over the coming weeks.

A 1-1 draw at home to Fiorentina on Thursday night in the first leg of the Europa League last 32 was the first of six games Tottenham will play in 17 days.

The return trip to Florence next week comes just four days after Sunday's league match against West Ham and three days before the Capital One Cup final against Chelsea.

"Both competitions - the league and the Europa League - can give us access to the Champions League," Pochettino said.

"We are fighting for the Europa League and in the Premier League. We try to focus on the next game and not think too much about the future."

Pochettino added: "We need to make decisions because we have a lot of games coming up, six games in 17 days.

"It's difficult and we need to rotate, give everyone the possibility to play.

"It's not difficult to pick the starting 11, I try to select the best team to win the games."

Pochettino was disappointed with the result against Fiorentina and believes Spurs deserved more from their display at White Hart Lane.

Roberto Soldado gave the hosts a dream start when he volleyed home a corner in the sixth minute but Jose Maria Basanta's equaliser secured the Italians a draw and a crucial away goal.

"It is a shame because at half-time we deserved to have scored more than one goal but it was only 1-1," Pochettino said.

"We need to go to Florence and win the game and score. Today we were better than Fiorentina, especially in the first-half.

"We created a lot of chances but this is football. I think in the first-half we controlled the game but we had more of the ball in the second-half.

"In general, over the 90 minutes we were better. We had the chances, the possession of the ball and managed the game."

Pochettino added: "It's a shame and I'm disappointed with the result because I think we deserved more, but I'm happy with the performance."

PA