Published: 24 March, 2016
by DAN CARRIER

WHAT has been a miserable season for Spurs midfielder Nabil Bentaleb appears to finally be over this week. 

The club has confirmed he has undergone a knee operation which will keep him out for around six weeks. 

After a stunning season last term where he cemented himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s mainstay defensive midfielder, the Algeria international has struggled with injuries. 

And then he found his way back into the first team barred by the emergence of Eric Dier as the main holding man.

Meanwhile Pochettino has told the New Journal, after the thumping 3-0 win against Bournemouth at the weekend, that there will be no let up in his punishing training schedule for his players as they try to narrow the gap on leaders Leicester at the top of the table. 

He said: “We now go into a new period of around one game a week, so we will be able to continue with double training sessions. 

“The energy among the players is fantastic and we now have more time to prepare. We have come through a very difficult period.”

But there are other thoughts on Poch’s mind – like a bumper new deal to keep him at the club. 

He still has three years on his current contract but there is rumoured to be a £10million buy-out clause. Chairman Daniel Levy wants to tie Pochettino to the club on improved terms.