Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has explained the reasons behind his decision to leave Danny Rose behind for this week's Europa League opener.
Spurs take on Partizan Belgrade in their first group stage outing on Thursday but will be without left-back Rose who was the subject of racial abuse in Serbia when playing for the England U21s two years ago.
It has been suggested that Pochettino opted to leave Rose out of his squad for the trip to Belgrade to shelter him from further negativity but the Argentine has revealed that his omission is purely for football reasons.
"No, it's not for that reason that he did not come," the Spurs boss said.
"I know about the problems two years ago but they are not the reason he is not here now. We know the situation but it is not the reason. He didn't ask to be left out.
"The decision was based on football only. All my selection decisions are based on football always.
"I think two years ago is a long time. My decision was simply to give him a rest because down to him being tired after Sunderland (on the weekend).
"Before that he was with the national team for two weeks. It's always a stress to go with the national team.
"We also have a big squad and it allows other players to play and for me to see another player."
