Moussa Sissoko suddenly has a key role to play for Tottenham - but is it through fight or fortune?

Hand up those Tottenham fans who predicted in June that Moussa Sissoko would have a key role to play this season.

If any were so prescient, they were surely few in number. Yet, as Spurs try to secure the victory that would allow them to take a huge stride towards the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Frenchman may again have an important part to play against APOEL here in Cyprus.

Until a few weeks ago, Sissoko appeared to be one of the worst signings in the club’s history. Bought from Newcastle on the final day of the 2016 summer transfer window in a deal worth a potential £30million, Sissoko started only 12 matches in all competitions and still awaits his first goal.

He registered just two assists in the Premier League and a summer departure looked probable, with Marseille showing strong interest.

There was some interest in England, too, but the 28-year-old stayed where he was - and suddenly he is crucial to the plans of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino. Has the Argentine changed his mind about Sissoko? Or has he turned to him because of a lack of alternatives?

While it is tempting to consider the former argument, the latter appears far more plausible, given Pochettino’s difficulties in central midfield.

Mousa Dembele’s on-going foot and ankle problems have restricted him to only five starts this season and the Belgium international has not travelled to Cyprus. Victor Wanyama, Dembele’s partner in the middle throughout last season, has not played since the 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on August 20 due to a knee injury, while Harry Winks has not yet regained the rhythm he had before injuring an ankle at Burnley last April.

With Jan Vertonghen missing through suspension, Eric Dier may be required in defence, while Christian Eriksen, who has been playing in a deeper midfield role in recent weeks, is missing through illness and Dele Alli is still serving his European ban.

How Tottenham could line up against APOEL...

Will Sissoko, who was impressive in the 3-2 win at West Ham last Saturday, be given his opportunity again? There is a clear case for Pochettino to do so, especially with so many key men absent, and two factors invite optimism.

Although Sissoko was signed to play wide on the right, he had one of the best games of his career in the centre, when France were beaten by Portugal in the Euro 2016 Final. Though he lacks Dembele’s balance and precision in possession, Sissoko’s strength and ability to travel long distances with the ball make him dangerous in either zone when in form.

Furthermore, he has quickly revived his understanding with Serge Aurier, with whom Sissoko spent a year at Toulouse before joining Newcastle in January 2013. Sissoko and Aurier combined effectively on several occasions last weekend - an encouraging sign for a Tottenham side who have struggled to break down cautious teams this season.

“Maybe he is used to playing more regularly on the wing than in the middle, but he has done well there and he can be a good solution for us,” said Vertonghen.

APOEL coach Giorgos Donis, who played for Blackburn, Sheffield United and Huddersfield from 1996-2000, is without a number of key players, though he will surely be encouraged by the absences among the Spurs ranks.

If Sissoko can continue to improve at his current rate, however, Spurs will quickly forget those left at home.