Tottenham vs Watford team news: Dele Alli not fit enough to start after midweek illness

Watford make five changes

(2016 Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli is only fit enough for the bench after he came off at half-time in the win against Norwich City complaining of dizziness.

The teenage midfielder, who scored his seventh goal of the season in a 3-0 win, was expected to return to the starting line-up but Mauricio Pochettino has opted not to risk him, instead bringing Nacer Chadli into the first XI for his first start since 17 October.

Pochettino has made three other changes to the team that beat Norwich, with Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies coming in for Kyle Walker and Danny Rose at the full-back postions and Erik Lamela in for Son Heung-Min.

Ryan Mason also returns to the bench - the English midfielder has not played since the end of November because of an ankle injury.

For Watford, Quique Sanchez Flores has made the surprising decision to drop captain Troy Deeney to the bench, dropping his second striker in favour for a more solid five in midfeld.

Mehdi Abdi comes in for Deeney, one of five changes made by the Spaniard, three in the back four.

Allan Nyom replaces Juan Carlos Paredes at right-back, the Ecuadorian criticised for diving against Chelsea, Miguel Britos is back after suspension and Nathan Ake back at left-back now after being ineligible against his parent club.

The other change sees Valon Behrami make way for Mario Suarez to make his debut.

TEAM NEWS

Spurs: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies, Dembele, Dier, Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane.

Subs: Vorm, Rose, Walker, Alli, Carroll, Mason, Son

Watford: Gomes, Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Ake, Suarez, Watson, Capoue; Jurado, Abdi, Ighalo.

Subs: Pantilimon, Prodl, Holebas, Behrami, Anya, Amrabat, Deeney.