Thursday 9 February 2017 13:24, UK
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea's lead in the Premier League title race is "massive" - but not "decisive."
Antonio Conte's men are nine points in front of second-placed Spurs, and while Pochettino admits that represents a substantial lead, he says his team have enough time to overhaul Chelsea.
"We are in the table after Chelsea, and we are a contender but then there are a lot of teams that are contenders," he said.
"There are a lot of games ahead. It is true that Chelsea have a big gap, a massive gap - nine points is massive - but it is not decisive."
Spurs go to Liverpool on Saturday evening once again without left-back Danny Rose who injured his knee in the 0-0 draw with Sunderland on January 31.
The initial prognosis was bleak, with the England defender expected to be out for up to two months. But, Pochettino says that prognosis is "not true" and he is hopeful Rose will be back in action much sooner.
"I am not a doctor but I can explain that he is very positive, we are very positive and he is happy," he said. "I was talking with him now - before the press conference - and we are happy after he saw the specialist.
"It is not a big issue - it is a minor problem, a small problem, and we will see. We hope that he can be available again as soon as possible."
Pochettino had further good news on Jan Vertonghen, who could return to training next week following his ankle injury.
