Vertonghen wears protective mask in training after horror head injury as defender prepares for Ajax clash return
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JAN VERTONGHEN wore a protective mask in Tottenham training on Tuesday following a horror head injury.
The Belgian defender, 32, has been deemed fit to return for the second-leg after his worrying injury just a week ago.
Vertonghen collided with Toby Alderweireld and Ajax No1 Andre Onana and tried to play on despite a potential concussion.
Tottenham went on to lose the home leg 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Donny van de Beek.
But now Vertonghen is set to return for the all-important return leg in Amsterdam - with a spot in the Champions League final at stake.
And Spurs stars looked focused as they were put through their paces by Mauricio Pochettino - who has insisted his side need to go out and try to enjoy themselves.
Poch claimed: "The negative result in the first leg obviously makes it more difficult, but the tie is still open.
"ENJOY THE MOMENT"
"We know we need to win and perform to our best. It's an exciting moment for us.
"Nobody thought we would have the possibility in the last week of the season to reach the final of the Champions League.
"Now we need to enjoy this moment and believe."
Hugo Lloris echoed his boss' sentiment, adding: "We're all excited to be a part of the semi-finals of the Champions League, but we don't want to stop here.
"We need to play full of energy and full of desire.
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"Ajax have a little advantage and the only way to go through is to win - and that's the only way to prepare for the game.
"We need to try to find the right energy and try to learn from the first leg."
But Tottenham have it all to do, with just ONE of the previous 17 teams to lose the first leg of a Champions League semi-final progressing to the final.
That team? Ajax in 1995-96...
