Mauricio Pochettino is keeping his fingers crossed that Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb will be available for Tottenham's clash with Liverpool on Saturday.

Mason has been out of action since injuring his knee as he scored the only goal in the 1-0 win at Sunderland on September 13, while Bentaleb, who has an ankle problem, has not played since the 0-0 draw with Everton on August 28.

Yet both players will have had a fortnight to step up their recoveries and Spurs' medical team will assess them this week as Pochettino seeks to add to his resources in central midfield.

Spurs will be without Eric Dier against Liverpool due to suspension, after the 21-year-old picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in the 2-2 draw at Swansea that preceded the international break. Dier has performed well after switching from defence to midfield.

Mason and Bentaleb were Pochettino's first-choice midfield pairing for much of last season but their injuries have restricted their roles so far this term.

Ranking Tottenham's summer signings so far 6 show all Ranking Tottenham's summer signings so far 1/6 Toby Alderweireld: B Alderweireld is yet to miss a minute of Premier League action and opened his Spurs account with a near-post header during the victory over Manchester City.



The Belgian defender has featured alongside Jan Vertonghen at both club and international level in the past but the pair's partnership is not without flaws.



However, the duo have ensured that Spurs look far sturdier, and skilled, in the centre of defence than they have for some time. Getty 2/6 Dele Alli: A Although the midfielder technically signed for Spurs in January he spent the second half of last season on loan with then League One outfit MK Dons and joined up with Pochettino's squad this summer.



The youngster has looked instantly at ease at the top level. A deft nutmeg has already become his trademark and he has proved that he is capable of playing in a variety of roles across the midfield.



Alli's performances have culminated in an England call up and now that he has started all four of Spurs' latest Premier League games, he has a real chance of clinging onto the shirt - even when the squad is fully fit. Getty 3/6 Clinton N'Jie: C Little was known about the forward prior to his move to Spurs, but few players in French football attract widespread attention on these shores.



Injury and a lack of fitness have restricted to Cameroon international's progress and he is yet to force his way into the starting line up.



Used as a substitute to date, he has shown glimpses of his talent, but little more.



An assist for Erik Lamela against Manchester City is currently his most notable contribution. 4/6 Heung-min Son: A The South Korea international has hit the ground running and allayed fears that his £22m price tag would weigh heavy on his shoulders.



Although a foot injury has cut the forward's instant impact short, for now, three goals in five games has seen Spurs fans take to the 23-year-old immediately.



Capable of playing in a variety of positions, Son has struck up an understanding with his new teammates in a short space of time and possesses the work rate that will endear him to his manager. Getty 5/6 Kieran Trippier: C Having become a leading light for Burnley last season, the full back is now a back-up at White Hart Lane. Kyle Walker is by no means untouchable but Trippier is yet to do enough to convince that he is a better option than his countryman.



An ill-timed challenge saw the 25-year-old concede a penalty against Qarabag on his debut, which he recovered from to produce a decent performance, but the jury is still out.



A period of adjustment was to be expected given that he battled for relegation last term and his delivery from wide areas could still be an asset if Walker fails to iron out the inconsistencies in his game. Getty 6/6 Kevin Wimmer: C The Austria international has been restricted to just two cup appearances for his new employers. The partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld is unlikely to be broken up by the 22-year-old any time soon and Wimmer will have to bide his time before he can prove his worth.



An opportunity to feature alongside either of the Belgian duo, rather than the hapless Federico Fazio, would be a welcome one, but Wimmer has shown plenty of promise in the early stages of his Spurs career.



Mistakes are part and parcel of a centre back's development and simply being around the first-team squad will aid the defender's development even if he only features sporadically this term. Getty 1/6 Toby Alderweireld: B Alderweireld is yet to miss a minute of Premier League action and opened his Spurs account with a near-post header during the victory over Manchester City.



The Belgian defender has featured alongside Jan Vertonghen at both club and international level in the past but the pair's partnership is not without flaws.



However, the duo have ensured that Spurs look far sturdier, and skilled, in the centre of defence than they have for some time. Getty 2/6 Dele Alli: A Although the midfielder technically signed for Spurs in January he spent the second half of last season on loan with then League One outfit MK Dons and joined up with Pochettino's squad this summer.



The youngster has looked instantly at ease at the top level. A deft nutmeg has already become his trademark and he has proved that he is capable of playing in a variety of roles across the midfield.



Alli's performances have culminated in an England call up and now that he has started all four of Spurs' latest Premier League games, he has a real chance of clinging onto the shirt - even when the squad is fully fit. Getty 3/6 Clinton N'Jie: C Little was known about the forward prior to his move to Spurs, but few players in French football attract widespread attention on these shores.



Injury and a lack of fitness have restricted to Cameroon international's progress and he is yet to force his way into the starting line up.



Used as a substitute to date, he has shown glimpses of his talent, but little more.



An assist for Erik Lamela against Manchester City is currently his most notable contribution. 4/6 Heung-min Son: A The South Korea international has hit the ground running and allayed fears that his £22m price tag would weigh heavy on his shoulders.



Although a foot injury has cut the forward's instant impact short, for now, three goals in five games has seen Spurs fans take to the 23-year-old immediately.



Capable of playing in a variety of positions, Son has struck up an understanding with his new teammates in a short space of time and possesses the work rate that will endear him to his manager. Getty 5/6 Kieran Trippier: C Having become a leading light for Burnley last season, the full back is now a back-up at White Hart Lane. Kyle Walker is by no means untouchable but Trippier is yet to do enough to convince that he is a better option than his countryman.



An ill-timed challenge saw the 25-year-old concede a penalty against Qarabag on his debut, which he recovered from to produce a decent performance, but the jury is still out.



A period of adjustment was to be expected given that he battled for relegation last term and his delivery from wide areas could still be an asset if Walker fails to iron out the inconsistencies in his game. Getty 6/6 Kevin Wimmer: C The Austria international has been restricted to just two cup appearances for his new employers. The partnership of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld is unlikely to be broken up by the 22-year-old any time soon and Wimmer will have to bide his time before he can prove his worth.



An opportunity to feature alongside either of the Belgian duo, rather than the hapless Federico Fazio, would be a welcome one, but Wimmer has shown plenty of promise in the early stages of his Spurs career.



Mistakes are part and parcel of a centre back's development and simply being around the first-team squad will aid the defender's development even if he only features sporadically this term. Getty

With games against Anderlecht in the Europa League, and Bournemouth in the Premier League, to follow the Liverpool fixture, Pochettino needs these two key men back as quickly as possible.