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Exclusive: Dele Alli left out of Tottenham squad to face Chelsea in Carabao Cup

Tottenham's Dele Alli, second left, runs with the ball during a Europa League third qualifying round soccer match between Shkendija and Tottenham  - AP
Tottenham's Dele Alli, second left, runs with the ball during a Europa League third qualifying round soccer match between Shkendija and Tottenham - AP

Dele Alli has been left out of Tottenham’s squad to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

The Spurs midfielder, 24, missed Sunday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United and the fourth-round tie was seen as a chance for game time but it is understood Jose Mourinho has not included him in match-day plans.

Alli has only started one Premier League game this season, the defeat to Everton when he subbed at half-time, and the Europa League win against FK Shkendija was his only other appearance.

The home clash against Frank Lampard’s team has been viewed as a chance for Mourinho to rotate his squad, with another European game two days later, but it appears Alli will not be given the chance to fight his way back into his plans against Frank Lampard’s team.

Alli’s future has been uncertain since losing his place in Mourinho’s team this season and he could attract interest ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.

Paris Saint-Germain showed initial interest in a season-long loan but the deal has proved difficult for the French champions and they are willing to look elsewhere. Alli was not included in the last England squad and needs first-team football to win his place back ahead of the European Championships last season.

Mourinho had admitted the Carabao Cup was not his priority when asked about the competition and Spurs’ fixture pile-up at the weekend.

“What would you do in my position? I would like to fight for the Carabao but I don’t think I can,” he said. “We have a game on Thursday that gives us not as much money as the Champions League, but the group phase of the Europa League gives us a certain amount that for a club like us is very important.

“It’s a competition with a possible group phase that gives us a good chance to go through to the next knockout stage, so this game on Thursday is very important for us.”