Tottenham have been boosted by the fitness of Richarlison ahead of a crunch run of games for Ange Postecoglou. Richarlison was forced off in Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester and Postecoglou confirmed after the game that the Brazilian was substituted because he “was feeling his groin”.

Ange Postecoglou will hope to see Tottenham vice-captain James Maddison step up again with more “moments” in Sunday’s crucial Premier League fixture with ex-club Leicester. Spurs were without 14 players for Thursday’s trip to Hoffenheim due to a combination of injuries and ineligibility,

James Maddison faces up to three weeks out in the latest injury blow for Tottenham. "Madders has got a calf strain, he's probably two or three weeks [out]," Ange Postecoglou told reporters on Wednesday.

Postecoglou also confirmed that Micky van de Ven could feature for Spurs on Thursday after recovering from injury, though they will still be without James Maddison, who missed the game against his for

Spurs must rely on inexperienced teenagers Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Mikey Moore and – in the likely absence of injured Richarlison and Dominic Solanke – Will Lankshear against Elfsborg and although each of them appear to have the brightest of futures, the weight of responsibility under such intense scrutiny is a huge burden to bear.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says James Maddison was the difference in their Europa League win at Hoffenheim.

I think he enjoys having that responsibility," Postecoglou said after Tottenham's crucial win over Hoffenheim in the Europa League. "Creative player

Shay Given questioned the support Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been given and thinks he needs more if he is to stay at the club long term. Speaking on Match of the Day 2, Given said: "My concern for Ange is why didn't they give him money at the start of the transfer window? It's been open three and a half weeks.

Ange Postecoglou is under pressure as Tottenham slipped further down the Premier League, but he believes they can have success elsewhere.

Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur boss said on Wednesday ahead of the Europa League match against Elfsborg

Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou confirms Micky van de Ven return against Elfsborg - Dutch defender has been out since December with a hamstring issue but is in line to make his comeback against Elfsborg