Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is targeting maximum points from his side’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen tonight.

Spurs currently sit second in group E having lost one and won one of their two games in the competition so far this season.

They are a point behind group leaders Monaco and Pochettino says it is vital to take maximum points in Germany to give Tottenham the best chance to progress to the knockout stages.

He said: “If we want to go to the next round it’s key tomorrow to take the three points and then to play at Wembley in the same way.

“The next games here and at Wembley will be decisive for us and the possibility of going into the next round.”

The Argentine will be without Toby Alderweireld after the Belgian defender picked up a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with West Brom on Saturday.

While Alderweireld’s prognosis is not too serious – he could return as soon as the weekend – Eric Dier is likely to have to play in the centre of defence.

The England international has cemented his place as a key man in the Tottenham midfield, But Pochettino says he has every confidence in his ability to play in defence.

“The important thing is that we trust him. It’s not important the position he might play – midfield, centre-back or full-back – we believe in him and trust in him,” he said.

“We trust him, his personality and his skill. For me, Eric is a player who can develop his game in different positions.”

Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt has praised Spurs in the build up to tonight’s clash and believes the two sides play in a similar style.

Pochettino returned Schmidt’s compliment and feels the attacking manner in which Spurs and Leverkusen play should make for an entertaining match.

“I admire him a lot, I liked him when he was at Salzburg and now here at Leverkusen. I don’t know him personally, but I’ve seen a lot of his games and I like his philosophy,” he said.

“It will be an exciting game and will be a very good game to watch because both teams are aggressive, play with energy and the objective is always to go forward.”