Tottenham boss sends Champions League qualification message to players ahead of Brighton

Tottenham boss Cristian Stellini is bent on securing Champions League football next season and will not settle for Europa League even in the worst case scenario.

Tottenham take on Brighton this weekend knowing any slip will see them lose ground to the Seagulls who are chasing European football under the brilliant Roberto De Zerbi.

Stellini who has stepped in to replace Antonio Conte saw his first game in charge end in a draw at Goodison, but is hoping the home fans can help the Lilywhites to three points when Brighton visit this weekend.

Spurs are fifth on the league table, four points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton who have played two games less, but Stellini says the focus for the rest of the campaign is to hit the target of Champions League qualification.

He told LondonWorld’s Rahman Osman: “This is not in my mind. I want to reach the target and I’m not thinking about anything else.

“ I’m only focused on preparing training to push the players and to go strong and understand what we are, what we are doing and what we can do and what they have to do to push themselves all together and it’s important to have a team.

“It’s important to play like a team and respect the plan in the game and this is what I’m focused on.”

Tottenham will be without Lucas Moura who will begin his three game ban after being sent off against Everton on Monday night.

Injured trio Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur and Ryan Sessegnon will also sit out the game while Brazilian Richarlison, who only returned to individual training this week, is expected to watch from the stands.