Tottenham Hotspur have received a major boost ahead of Saturday’s north London derby (12.45 kick off) with the news Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez will miss the game due to a hamstring problem.

The Chile International, 26, has been superb this season since his £35 million summer move from Barcelona, scoring 18 goals in all competitions.

Striker Danny Welbeck will return for the first time since December from a niggling thigh injury but the loss of Sanchez is a huge blow for Arsene Wenger’s side.

Spurs, currently sixth and two points shy of their rivals in the Premier League, have a fully-fit squad ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

"All the players are available and this is a very good thing for us," head coach Mauricio Pochettino told the club website.

"It’s difficult for me to now pick the 18 players, but it’s better to have that competition.

"It’s important for all the team to be fit and available for Saturday."

Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is back in contention for a starting place after returning from African Cup of Nations duty with Algeria.

The fifth-placed Gunners have won their last five Premier League games and are undefeated in ten in all competitions with sixth placed Spurs losing just one of five league games.

Spurs have lost five of their last seven in the north London derby but may be helped by the absence of Sanchez as well as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Debuchy