Sandro (right) was left out of the Spurs team for the win over Fulham

Published: 24 April 2014
by DAN CARRIER

ALL eyes will be on Tim Sherwood’s team sheet for Saturday’s away trip to Stoke City after popular Brazilian midfielder Sandro told fans he was fit and available but simply hadn’t been picked for the squad in the 3-1 win against Fulham.

The Spurs manager batted away questions over a rift with the midfielder, saying after the game that Sandro was not playing well enough to warrant a start and that the side were over-loaded with options in the central midfield spot.

Sherwood has a host of first-team players looking for a start, and so Sandro’s place is far from assured. Etienne Capoue has returned to training, while Sherwood’s other options include Nacer Chadli, who has been playing in a central role, Nabil Bentaleb, Paulinho and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Meanwhile, striker Harry Kane knows what he needs to do to keep his place in the starting line-up – make it four goals in four games.

He said: “At any level, you have to score to stay in the team.

“There is always competition and players looking to take your spot. You have to take your chance and thankfully I’ve been able to score in every game so far and hopefully I’ll get a few more.

“I was delighted to make it three in three and let’s hope we’re talking about four in four at Stoke.”