Tottenham vs Barcelona Confirmed XIs: Spurs number one returns to fold

Tottenham number one Hugo Lloris has returned to the Spurs starting XI for tonight’s welcome of Barcelona having overcome a thigh strain. 

The goalkeeper hasn’t featured for Spurs since their 3-0 win at Manchester United at the end of August through injury. 

Michel Vorm and Paulo Gazzaniga has deputised in his absence and despite a three-match unbeaten run with the latter between the sticks, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has elected to bring the 31-year-old back into the starting XI for their crunch Champions League tie. 

Spurs are, of course, without a number of key players in Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Serge Aurier, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen, with the latter pair sustaining knocks in the 2-0 win at Huddersfield at the weekend. 

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, meanwhile, is without Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto due to suspension and injury, respectively, with Clement Lenglet and Nelson Semedo expected to deputise at centre-back and right-back for the Blaugrana. 

Arthur comes into the starting XI, with Ousmane Dembele dropping out of the side, as was reported by the Spanish press earlier this week.