Dele Alli hamstring injury ‘does not look great’ admits Pochettino as Tottenham’s crisis grows

MAURICIO POCHETTINO confirmed Dele Alli's suspected hamstring problem and said it "did not look great".

Alli went down clutching the back of his left leg late in the 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday and appeared in despair when taking his seat on the bench.

Poch now faces Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea without his England international, as well as the injured Harry Kane.

The Spurs chief said: "We need to assess him but it is a hamstring and we need to be careful. It does not look great.

"On the pitch, we all agree that when he put his hand on his hamstring, it is a situation where you feel the pull. It is not great to see that."

Pochettino takes his team to Stamford Bridge this week with a 1-0 aggregate lead from the League Cup first leg.

And the Argentine coach already knows he will be without captain Kane until at least March after damaging ankle ligaments.

With Son Heung-min on international duty at the Asia Cup, Poch will have his fingers crossed over Alli's fitness but he insisted other players will step up.

Pochettino added: "It is not a worry. It is a massive opportunity for a different player to play.  We go to Chelsea expecting to win and it is important - the belief we have to try and win the game. "Lucas Moura is ready to help the team from the bench or maybe from the beginning."

Georges-Kevin N'Koudou, Alli's replacement, took his chance by teeing up Harry Winks for a dramatic late winner at the Cottage.

Poch praised the duo, saying: "It was fantastic for G-K N'Koudou, his first game of the season in Premier League.

"The action was brilliant. After 93 minutes Harry Winks recovered the ball in a deeper position and he believed and arrived to the box.

"The cross was fantastic from N'Koudou and he arrived with the determination to score."