Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino: 'I must be careful with Erik Lamela'

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that he will not take any risks with the fitness of Erik Lamela.

On Tuesday night, Lamela made his first appearance in more than a year after struggling to overcome a hip injury, and the Argentine made an immediate impression by setting up Harry Kane's consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat to Leicester City.

However, ahead of the trip to Watford, Pochettino has hinted that Lamela will remain on the bench for what has become an important clash at Vicarage Road.

The 45-year-old told reporters: "Of course, we trust in him and believe that he can add to the team different options to play and different qualities but we need to take it step by step, we need to be careful.

"After more than one year not being involved with the team competing, it's slowly, step by step by need to build his confidence. Of course it's completely different to training."

Pochettino may consider Lamela for a starting role in next week's Champions League meeting with APOEL, with Spurs having already qualified for the last 16.