Pochettino to Tottenham: Skip PFA dinner ahead of West Brom clash

Tottenham won't get to indulge in any weekend festivities, including the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards dinner Sunday evening, as manager Mauricio Pochettini urges his squad to stay focused on Monday's crucial home fixture against West Bromwich Albion.

The club's 24-goal striker, Harry Kane, is in the running for the PFA Player of the Year prize, while teammate Dele Alli is on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year honour. Defenders Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose were also selected to the union's Team of the Year.

But none of them will be at London's Grosvenor House hotel to bask in any praise. Pochettino wants no distractions in the build-up to the match.

"It's true that the players would like to go, but I think the responsibility when you have a big game for us like West Brom on Monday, you need to stay at home, rest and focus on the game," the Spaniard said Friday. "After the game on Monday, we have time for a party or to congratulate the players - for everything."

Spurs have four matches left to unseat Leicester City at the top of the Premier League table. A massive win last Monday over Stoke City cut Leicester's lead to just five points, and Pochettino's players will look to keep up the pressure at White Hart Lane with a result against the Baggies.

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