Sources: Tottenham set to recall defender ahead of Jan, Mourinho has seen enough
Jose Mourinho is planning to recall Matt Doherty to the Tottenham team during the pre-January festive period after consecutive Premier League defeats.
Serge Aurier has been the first choice right-back over the last six weeks and played some of the best football of his Spurs career.
But the Ivory Coast international sandwiched a fine display against Sadio Mane in last Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool with errors against Leicester City and Crystal Palace that resulted in goals.
He gave away the free-kick from which Palace equalised in the 1-1 draw eight days ago and then a stupid foul on James Justin on the stroke of half-time against Leicester on Sunday resulted in a penalty converted by Jamie Vardy.
A Spurs source has told Football Insider that Doherty will be told to prepare for an extended run in the team.
The summer signing from Wolves has slipped down the pecking order since contracting Covid-19 early last month.
He had begun the season in the side following his arrival and started six of the first eight Premier League matches.
But Aurier has been the man in favour and started the last six league fixtures, including memorable wins over Man City and Arsenal.
He has knucked down to the extent that the club are planning to offer a new contract to him after a change of heart from chairman Daniel Levy.
It was always Mourinho's plan to rotate his full-backs during the glut of fixtures over the festive period.
Doherty has not featured at all in the Premier League since 8 November but has started Spurs' last four Europa League fixtures and was on the bench on Sunday.