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'Nothing to worry about' - Lo Celso

Cape Town - Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso insists the injury he suffered while on international duty with Argentina is not a serious one.

Lo Celso, who joined Tottenham on a season-long loan from Real Betis this summer, was named in Argentina's starting line-up for Friday's friendly against Chile in Los Angeles, but there was nothing friendly about the contest.

The match was a hot-tempered affair that saw referee Jair Marrufo hand out no less than 10 yellow cards but, somehow, failed to dish out a single red card with some questionable challenges on show in the 0-0 draw.

Chile's Charles Aranguiz, who plays his club football for Bayer Leverkusen, was lucky not to be handed a second caution when he caught 23-year-old Lo Celso above the foot with a dreadful studs-up tackle in the first half.

The Tottenham midfielder lasted until the 53rd minute before being substituted and initial reports following the match claimed he had picked up a groin injury, but the Argentine provided a more positive outlook.

Lo Celso was quoted as saying by Goal: "It was only a blow, nothing to worry about."

The news will come as a huge positive to Spurs, who already have midfield trio Tanguy Ndombele, who became the club's record signing this summer, Eric Dier and Ryan Sessegnon in the treatment room.

Lo Celso has so far made three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season and Mauricio Pochettino revealed on August 23 that the new signing is still some way from being where he wants him physically.

It can always take some time for foreign players to get used to England's top flight and the Argentine playmaker is still adapting to the different style of play, having spent his senior career in Argentina, France and Spain.

Lo Celso, who is expected to feature in Wednesday's friendly against Mexico, could be handed his first league start when Spurs return to domestic action at home to Crystal Palace on September 14.

Pochettino's men have made an average start to the new campaign, taking five points from four games to already trail leaders Liverpool by seven points at this early stage.

- TeamTalk Media

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