Moussa Sissoko faces a race to be fit in time to play a part in Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League semi-final tie against Ajax.

Sissoko suffered a groin injury in the quarter-final victory over Manchester City and has been ruled out of Tottenham’s Premier League games against Brighton on Tuesday night and West Ham United on Saturday.

But Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino also fears the midfielder will not be back in time for the home leg against Ajax next Tuesday, leaving him trying to return in time for the second leg in Amsterdam on May 8.

Asked whether or not Sissoko could face Brighton, Pochettino said: “No. He is not going to be fit for the next two weeks. I hope he can recover before, but I’m not optimistic.”

Sissoko’s absence gives Pochettino a headache in midfield, particularly with Harry Winks on his way back from a groin problem.

“Harry Winks, I don’t know,” said Pochettino. “It’s a problem that one day is very good and one not so good. It’s about assessing every day. We will see, maybe he will be available Tuesday but I’m not sure.”