Toby Alderweireld injured and Danny Rose suspended ahead of Chelsea clash

Toby Alderweireld has been ruled out for Tottenham Hotspur's London derby against Chelsea on Saturday (26 November) after failing to recover from a knee injury sustained during their game against West Bromwich Albion following a collision with teammate Jan Vertonghen.

Mauricio Pochettino confirmed the news, according to the London Evening Standard, following the north London club's 2-1 loss to Monaco on Tuesday (22 November) which saw them exit the Champions League in the group stages. The Belgian defender's absence against the league leaders will be a big blow to Spurs, who are looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

Eric Dier has played alongside Jan Vertonghen in his absence and the White Hart Lane outfit have struggled. They have suffered three losses in the last eight games and exited two competitions in the process. He is expected to be sidelined for at least one more week with a return pencilled in for the game against Swansea City the following weekend (3 December).

Tottenham will be without two of their first choice defenders for the visit to Stamford Bridge as Danny Rose serves a one-game ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against West Ham United. The England international left-back's understudy Ben Davies is also injured and is unlikely to be fit, which is likely to force Pochettino to rethink his formation for the game against Antonio Conte's team.

Rose picked up his fifth booking of the season after a rash tackle on Michael Antonio and the 26-year-old admitted that he was 'kicking' himself for committing the unnecessary foul. Spurs will be seeking revenge when they travel to west London, as it was Chelsea who ended their title challenge last year in what was an ill-tempered game that saw 12 players booked.

"I'm kicking myself because it was so unnecessary and yeah that (the Chelsea game) was the first fixture I looked out for in the summer and I am gutted that I am going to miss it," Rose said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"I was aware that I was on four bookings - It was just a stupid foul. I'll be there, either travelling with the team or in with the fans. I'll make sure I am there to support the guys," the English defender added.