Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has left Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier out of his squad for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
The two defenders were left at home as Spurs travelled to the San Siro for their opening European fixture of the season.
When asked why the duo were not going to feature against Inter, Pochettino — who seemed tetchy — said only that it was a 'technical decision'.
It is understood that Belgian centre half Alderweireld and England right back Trippier are likely being rested after both had exhausting World Cup campaigns and also featured for their respective countries in the recent international break.
Tottenham will also be without World Cup winner Hugo Lloris and England midfielder Dele Alli on Tuesday.
The club have announced that France goalkeeper Lloris will miss out with a thigh injury and Alli with a hamstring strain.
Fellow midfielder Moussa Sissoko is sidelined by a similar problem.
Spurs tweeted shortly before their pre-match press conference in Milan: "@dele-official (hamstring), Hugo Lloris (thigh) and @MoussaSissoko (hamstring) all remain unavailable due to injury."
All three players missed Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool as a result of their injuries.
