Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld not ready to return for Leicester City clash

Tottenham Hotspur will still be without Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld for the visit of Leicester City on Saturday (29 October).

Former Southampton defender Alderweireld was stretchered off with a knee injury against West Brom two weeks ago. While his injury was not as severe as first feared, the Belgium international subsequently missed the Champions League tie with Bayer Leverkusen and last Saturday's goalless draw against Bournemouth.

Kane meanwhile suffered ankle ligament damage against Sunderland in September and has missed the club's last eight games. While Pochettino is pleased with the progress both players are making, the Argentine will not risk bringing either man back for the visit of the Premier League champions.

Pochettino refused to put a timeframe on Kane's return date last month, insisting the club would instead assess progress gradually. While initial reports suggested the England international faced up to eight weeks out, he returned to first-team training two weeks ago.

A possible return date for Kane and Alderweireld could be the season's first north London derby against arch-rivals Arsenal.

The Belgian's absence is likely to see Eric Dier continue to fill in at centre-half. The England international made the holding midfield role his own last season but has dropped back into defence in his side's last two games. Kevin Wimmer and Cameron Carter-Vickers both started at the heart of defence in the EFL Cup fourth round defeat to Liverpool but Pochettino says he has complete trust in the former Sporting starlet in the role

"The important thing is we trust in him," Pochettino said of Dier earlier this month. "It is not important the position he will play – midfield, centre-back or full-back – we believe and trust in him.

"We trust him as a person and his skills. For me, Eric is a player who can develop his game in different positions."