How Tottenham Hotspur could line up against Sporting Lisbon

Tottenham Hotspur are sweating over the fitnesses of two key players for Wednesday's Champions League Group D clash with Sporting Lisbon, where a win would seal qualification for the last 16.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cristian Romero were both absent from the defeat to Newcastle United with fatigue-related complaints, and neither man trained on Tuesday morning, but they will still be given the chance to prove their capabilities on the day of the game.

However, Antonio Conte remains without Dejan Kulusevski (hamstring) and Richarlison (calf) for the time being, and he has not been able to guarantee that the former will return before the World Cup.

Hugo Lloris's place in goal is safe despite his shaky showing on Sunday, while Eric Dier has started all of Tottenham's game this season but may not be considered for a rest just yet if Romero is absent.

Davinson Sanchez should deputise for Romero again if need be, while Ben Davies conducted pre-match media duties and may therefore come in for Clement Lenglet.

If Hojbjerg cannot take part from the off, Oliver Skipp will likely have to start twice in quick succession alongside Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur if Conte opts to go 3-5-2 again.

Emerson Royal's spot on the right is safe, but Ivan Perisic will hope to be drafted in for Ryan Sessegnon on the opposite flank, as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min continue to hold the fort up front.

Should Kane find the back of the net on Wednesday, it will take him up to 22 Champions League goals, seeing him surpass Steven Gerrard's 21 and break into the top-five English goalscorers in the competition.

Tottenham possible starting lineup: Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Skipp, Bentancur, Bissouma, Perisic; Kane, Son