Nonsense to say Spurs players don't care - Van de Ven

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven says it is "the biggest nonsense" to suggest the club's players do not care about the team's current plight.

Spurs are a point above the Premier League relegation zone in 16th with eight matches of the season left to play after a difficult campaign.

It has led to questions over the whether Tottenham's squad are already thinking about their own futures beyond the current season.

But Van de Ven gave a passionate defence of their commitment to the Spurs cause on the eve of the second leg of Tottenham's Champions League last-16 tie at home to Atletico Madrid.

"It's the biggest nonsense," the Netherlands centre-back told a news conference.

"Trust me - those involved on the pitch, the staff and the players - they care so much about the situation we are in right now.

"We just want to turn things around and that's the main focus for everyone. If reports say guys don't care anymore it's just frustrating for our guys."

Spurs trail Atletico 5-2 from the first leg in Madrid following a club-record sixth straight loss before they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Van de Ven said suggestions that Spurs players are not bothered by their predicament "brings so much more trouble" because supporters are "starting to believe" them.

"The other day when we read something about one guy that said to everyone that he's probably going to leave and doesn't care about the situation they're in," added the 24-year-old Dutchman.

"People are just making things up. The only thing I can say about it is it's not true."

Spurs will be without midfielder Joao Palhinha for the tie with Atletico as he continues to recover from concussion.

Captain Cristian Romero, who clashed heads with Palhinha in the first leg, will be available to play while left-back Destiny Udogie and midfielder Lucas Bergvall are fit enough for the bench after hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.