Mauricio Pochettino concedes that he does not expect Ben Davies to be fit enough to face Real Madrid in Tottenham’s Champions League clash on Wednesday.

The Wales international missed the weekend victory over Bournemouth through illness, and the club will assess the left back on Tuesday.

“Difficult [to say], I don’t believe [he will be],” admitted Pochettino after the win over Bournemouth. “But I hope as soon as possible that he can be involved again but it’s true that we need to assess him but I’m not too positive. But I hope that I am wrong and that tomorrow [Monday] he can train with us.”

Davies has been in superb form since coming into the side following the knee ligament injury sustained by Danny Rose.

Rose has now returned to training, but having not played since the end of January, it would be a huge surprise if the England international featured in Wednesday’s clash.

The match will see Group H’s top two go head to head for the first time, and the Spurs admits that while the match is an exciting challenge for his side, reigning champions Real Madrid present a huge test.

“I think it’s a big challenge for us in the Champions League, a different competition,” said Pochettino. “We are going to play one of the best teams in the world.

“I think it’s exciting to play against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu for everybody. I think it will be a very tough game.

“We need to recover well after well after the two weeks with the players away from us, and now after the massive effort against Bournemouth. Until Tuesday we need to work hard, all the staff, to try and help the players recover.”

