Mauricio Pochettino says Younes Kaboul is not regularly playing for Tottenham because of footballing reasons.
The French centre-back was made Spurs skipper when Pochettino took over in the summer but has managed 11 starts in the Premier League but has not appeared since the November 9 loss to Stoke City.
When quizzed about Kaboul's recent absence, Pochettino played down any notion of a rift between he and the captain, preferring to state that his lack of game time since last month has diminished due to team balance.
"It's a football decision, there is no other explanation," said Pochettino.
"When you decide to pick the starting XI it's not because he's captain or that his name is different from another. You pick the player because it's your job, and it's my decision.
"The captain means that you are a leader but because you are a captain you are not sure of starting. I am the head coach and I decide the players for each game."
Pochettino will again have his hands full picking his Spurs line-up for Friday's Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park.
