Harry Kane and Eric Dier reunited? Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou explains FA Cup absence against Burnley and hints that he doesn’t need defender despite injury crisis

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has hinted he does not need Eric Dier but insists he was left out of their clash with Burnley due to an injury.

Dier missed the encounter with Burnley altogether, sparking some suggestion that he was being saved for a potential move to Bayern amid reports the German club are interested in a deal. Postecoglou, though, insists that he has merely picked up an injury and was not fit, although he did have to select both Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at centre-back in the 1-0 win.

Asked about Dier, Postecoglou said: “He’s injured and pulled up sore in training and couldn’t take part. Not connected (to the speculation) and don’t question my integrity. He was injured. You’ll have to ask him about that.”

Despite the fact that Davies appeared to injure his hamstring, the Spurs boss gave a blunt reply when asked if he could still afford to lose Dier, saying, simply: “Yes.”

• Tottenham have been linked with a £25m ($31.5m) swoop to sign Radu Dragusin from Genoa and it may be that his arrival precipitates the departure of Dier. In total this season, the 29-year-old has made just one start, and has come off the bench three times.

• Spurs will hope to see some movement on the transfer front with the window now open. They are next in action next Sunday against Manchester United at Old Trafford.