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Postecoglou on VAR, squad rotation and Tamworth

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup game at Tamworth (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • He said that he is hoping to give some game time to teenage striker Mikey Moore, who recently returned from a long injury lay-off.

  • However, there will not be scope for significant rotation as Spurs are "still limited in terms of numbers".

  • On what to expect from team selection: "It's an opportunity to put out a team that will win a game of football for us. The ones who play will be the ones that I think will do that."

  • James Maddison and Pape Sarr, who missed the Carabao Cup semi-final win against Liverpool due to suspension, will be available for Sunday.

  • On whether he is relieved not to have VAR in Sunday's game given his comments after the Liverpool game, Postecoglou agreed, adding: "I am mindful that sometimes I overstep the mark in some of those situations. I talk as an individual and as a person who is passionate about the game."

  • He said he'd rather talk about football "as a representative of the club" and will let other people judge on VAR.

  • Asked whether the visit to Tamworth will be a shock to his players, Postecoglou said his players are not "multi-million-dollar" stars but "good human beings" with some deriving "from far worse places". He insisted Spurs will respect their National League opponents.

  • He expected Tamworth to "do their best to create an atmosphere where they will be proud of their ground and their facilities".

  • However, the Spurs boss said it is up to his players to be ready for the challenge and that they will go into the game "with the understanding that every game is important".

  • With the cup tie on artificial turf at The Lamb Ground, Postecoglou explained his players will train on a similar surface on Saturday in preparation for matchday.

  • Finally, Postecoglou said the FA Cup remains a very important competition with the final a "marquee day in the global football calendar".

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Tamworth v Tottenham on BBC Radio 5 Live from 12:30 GMT on Sunday

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[BBC]