Mauricio Pochettino admits Spurs' schedule is 'tough'

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says Sunday’s trip to Swansea will be a 'challenge' for his players as they prepare for their seventh match in a gruelling three-week period.

The upcoming international break will provide a welcome respite for Spurs after a frantic run of fixtures.  

It is a test they have passed impressively - the Capital One Cup derby defeat to Arsenal aside - with Thursday's Europa League draw in Monaco coming just days after a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Manchester City.

That was a third straight Premier League win and a run Spurs will look to extend at the Liberty Stadium - a task Pochettino knows will be far from easy.

"We expect another big, big game and a very tough game," he said. "Swansea is a team that started the season very well.

"I think that they have a lot of good players and play in a philosophy that always puts the opposition in a very difficult situation.

"I think it is another challenge for us to compete Sunday. It is true that the effort was fantastic from players in the last few weeks. We played a lot of games and very tough games.

"We need to compete and make a big effort, but before the international break we need to do our best, to give our best, and try to win the game.

"They are a very important three points for us to keep our position or improve our position in the table.

"It's true that we will expect a very tough game and they have had all week to prepare for the game against us. Now, we are thinking to be ready for Sunday."