Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund: Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele doubtful for Europa League clash

Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele both face tests to determine their fitness for the Europa League last 16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund at White Hart Lane on Thursday 17 March. Eriksen was replaced after 78 minutes of the win over Aston Villa while Dembele played the entire game at Villa Park.

Both players are nursing minor injuries and Pochettino will wait for the results from both tests before making a decision over their participation in the second leg. The pair trained away from the main group ahead of the game, alongside Clinton Njie and Jan Vertonghen who are nursing long-term knee injuries.

Pochettino rested Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Eric Dier and Harry Kane in the first leg as Tottenham were on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat. The Argentine boss is keen to right the wrongs of the first game and turn the tie around in north London.

"Our mentality needs to be right," the Tottenham boss said, according to Sky Sports. "We need to show that last Thursday was an accident. For me sometimes it is difficult but I accept the criticism – if you win you are a genius, if not you are a disaster.

"For me it's important to keep everyone motivated. They are all important for me and I believe in all of them. Sometimes we rotate and sometimes maybe I have made mistakes. We analyse our decisions a lot and I always think we can do better."

The build-up to the game has been dominated by speculation over Pochettino's contract at Tottenham, with Daniel Levy set to reward him for an impressive campaign which could yet end with the Premier League title. Pochettino however is unperturbed and does not want to concentrate on his future.

"At the moment there are a lot of rumours about me and different people," he added, according to Sky Sports. "I have nothing to say. I have three more years on my contract. For me it is important to be focused for the next game and finish in the best condition in the Premier League too. We have a big opportunity to play next season in the Champions League; to finish in the top four is realistic now. We need to try to be focused and put all energy into trying to achieve that. Now there is nothing to comment."