Villas-Boas confirms trio injured against Tromso should all be fit and available for Sunday's trip to Cardiff



Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas expects Danny Rose, Mousa Dembele and Younes Kaboul to all be fit for Sunday's Premier League match against Cardiff despite the fact all three went off injured during Spurs' 3-0 Europa League win against Tromso.

Left back Rose twisted his ankle and was forced off before half time while Belgium international Dembele was carried off in the second half after a reckless challenge from Tromso's Lars Gunnar Johnsen.

Younes Kaboul hobbled on despite a sore thigh before Christian Eriksen's goal made sure of the win. The French defender's departure meant Spurs finished the game with only ten men on the pitch having used all of their substitutes.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch AVB on Spurs' injuries from Tromso match



Injury scare: Despite being forced off against Tromso, Mousa Dembele is expected to be fit to face Cardiff

Villas-Boas said after the game: 'I think we had some good moments - but it was difficult with the injuries we suffered throughout the game.

'Younes (Kaboul) should be fine, he was just feeling tight. Danny (Rose) will be reassessed tomorrow, his ankle hasn't swollen up a lot so hopefully it should be okay and Mousa (Dembele) should be fine.

'But it's always important to see that first night if it (an injury) swells up or not, so for now we'll just have to wait a little bit.'

Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe acknowledged he had to take the opportunity to impress in Thursday's Europa League match against Tromso.

The striker netted twice before recent signing Christian Eriksen came off the bench to cap a 3-0 win in the north London club's opening Group K fixture.

Spurs have a strong-looking squad under Andre Villas-Boas, and Defoe said: 'When you get an opportunity you've got to take it - it's as simple as that.

'The performance was good tonight - we've won the game quite comfortably.

'It's a case of working hard for the team, to win the game. There's a good spirit there and the new lads have been brilliant.'

Scoring for fun: Jermain Defoe celebrates after scoring twice

Neat finish: Defoe neatly chips the ball in for his first goal

Eriksen's goal was his first since the Dane's arrival from Ajax and he told ITV4: 'It was a really nice goal, I'm really happy about it.'

Manager Villas-Boas said: 'It was a perfect start, it was important to get three points straight away.

'We all know about Jermain. His record speaks for itself. He's keeping himself sharp and fit and he's been excellent tonight.