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Mauricio Pochettino believes the stress caused by Hugo Lloris's arrest for drink-driving may have contributed to the thigh injury that has ruled the goalkeeper out of Tottenham's three successive defeats.
Spurs' captain suffered the problem during the 3-0 victory at Manchester United on Aug. 27, less than four days after being pulled over and charged by police in central London.
"I think he was under stress during the game against Manchester United," said Pochettino. "In that stress, maybe it created that injury.
"The injury now is helping him to take time to think and be a little bit more relaxed, because to compete after what happened I think was a massive stress for him.
"We still do not know [when he will be available]. We hope as soon as possible but I think the plan is still next week, if everything goes to plan in training."
Pochettino still refuses to disclose whether Lloris, who has kept the Tottenham captaincy, has been punished by the club, in addition to the £50,000 fine and 20-month driving ban that was imposed by the court when the 31-year-old pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
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"That is private," said Pochettino. "I think the punishment came from the court, and public judgement is massive punishment. All that happened inside, I think we want to keep it inside, that's much better."
Asked whether Lloris has a problem with alcohol, Pochettino replied: "No, no, no."
The Spurs manager has overseen losses in three successive matches for the first time during his tenure at the club and was angered when, after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat against Inter Milan, he was asked whether he regretted omitting Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier from his squad. However, he insists he is feeling utterly calm.
"The only way we can stop that [questioning and criticism] is by winning games, and if we don't win everyone is going to criticise more than now," said Pochettino. "And you know what happens if we're criticised and don't win games -- the first responsible is me.
"I am so relaxed. In football it sometimes happens, this situation. I am going to give my best until the end. I am going to stick with the club, I am not going to criticise the club. All the decisions are our decisions and of course [I'm] always with the club until the end.
"Maybe we're still here in five years or maybe in one week we are not here, but always we're talking well about the club and trying to help them to achieve all they want."
Source: espn.co.uk