Mauricio Pochettino hints at number nine role for Son Heung-min

Mauricio Pochettino has hinted that he could play winger Son Heung-min as a centre-forward when Tottenham Hotspur travel to Russia to take on CSKA Moscow in their second Champions League group game on Tuesday (27 September). The South Korean attacker has scored four goals in three Premier League games thus far and could be preferred to Vincent Janssen, who has failed to show the form that earned him a move from AZ Alkmaar this summer.

The duo are being considered for the number nine role due to Harry Kane's absence. The England international is expected to be out for up to six weeks after damaging ankle ligaments during their win over Sunderland earlier in the month. Son came close to leaving White Hart Lane this summer, but was talked into staying by the Argentine manager.

"I am happy with him and he is happy with the last few games. He is scoring and playing very well and I am happy with his performances in the last few games," Pochettino said of Son's impressive form, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.

"It's one possibility to play with him up front but we have Vincent Janssen too. Both have the possibility to play tomorrow - Vincent or him," he added.

Tottenham are currently bottom of Group E after losing their opening game to Monaco at Wembley Stadium – where they are playing all Champions League home games this season. The north London club need a positive result in Russia to improve their chances of making it to the next stage of the competition, but are without a number of regular squad members.

Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele and Moussa Sissoko have been left behind by Pochettino owing to lack of fitness, but the manager is confident that the team has enough depth to cope without their key players.

"We are competitive, now we are a bit unlucky with injuries but we have depth in the squad and it's a good opportunity for the players that don't play too much," the Argentine coach explained.

"In football the squad is important, the 25 players are important.

"Now we have some players that are injured but it's important for the squad and the team that all are ready to play," he said.