Tottenham return to Europa League action on Thursday when they travel to Belgian outfit Gent (6pm kick-off).

Mauricio Pochettino’s men suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat away at Liverpool on Saturday to severely dent their Premier League title hopes, with two first half goals from Sadio Mane securing a comfortable win for Jurgen Klopp’s men at Anfield.

It meant that Spurs slipped to third on Monday night after Manchester City beat Bournemouth to leapfrog them, while Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Burnley means that Pochettino’s men are now ten points adrift with just 13 games to go.

However, they turn their attentions to Europa this week when the travel to Belgium on Thursday, and face a Gent side who are eighth in the Belgian top-flight, and lost their last league game 1-0 to a side fourth from bottom.

Clearly, Spurs will be overwhelming favourites to bring a lead back to White Hart Lane ahead of next week’s second leg, although Pochettino isn’t a massive fan of the competition, and so could make a few changes to his starting eleven.

Thus, here are THREE Tottenham players who deserve a chance against Gent on Thursday…

Kieran Trippier

Right-back Kieran Trippier was used often throughout their ill-fated Champions League campaign, although was one of a few bright sparks to come from their efforts earlier in the season.

And, with several games coming up in a short space of time, Pochettino may recall the full-back for the trip to Gent on Thursday.

The former Burnley man has made just one Premier League start this term, and laid on two assists for Harry Kane in that game, a 4-1 demolition of Watford at Vicarage Road on New Year’s Day.

Trippier is an excellent full-back adept both defensively and going forward, so if Pochettino does want to shuffle things around at the back, the 26-year-old could be line for a rare start.

Harry Winks

Young midfielder Harry Winks signed a new contract at Spurs earlier in the week, and how much he’d like to celebrate that with a start on Thursday.

The 21-year-old has been in and around the first team all season, hence his 15 substitute appearances in the Premier League, but when he has started, namely against West Ham and Burnley, he has looked very classy in the midfield.

Although his recent displays haven’t been as good, Winks is clearly a solid midfielder who can do a job for Spurs, so he may get a recall against Gent on Thursday.

Moussa Sissoko

Photo: Charlotte Wilson

With games coming thick and fast for Tottenham, Pochettino may look to shuffle things around in the midfield area, which could mean a start for Moussa Sissoko in Gent.

The 27-year-old French international hasn’t started for Spurs since their dramatic 4-3 victory over Wycombe in the FA Cup last month, and has since then been restricted to three late substitute appearances in the Premier League.

However, Pochettino may look to make a few changes given how poor and lethargic Spurs were against Liverpool last weekend, so Sissoko, who has shown the odd sign of promise since moving to North London, could get his tenth start of the season in Belgium on Thursday.