Ange Postecoglou has admitted Tottenham Hotspur can afford to part ways with centre-back Eric Dier despite suffering yet another injury scare during Friday's 1-0 win over Burnley.
With first-choice starters Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both out injured, Postecoglou has rarely turned to Dier and has instead deployed full-back duo Emerson Royal and Ben Davies as a central partnership. The latter appeared to suffer a muscle injury against Burnley, potentially limiting Postecoglou's options further.
German giants Bayern Munich are exploring a move for Dier, who has just four appearances to his name this season, but Postecoglou was asked whether Spurs could afford to part ways with the Englishman after Davies' latest injury scare.
"Yes," the Australian boss responded bluntly.
Postecoglou also played down Dier's omission from the matchday squad, insisting the 29-year-old is actually nursing an injury.
"Absolutely zero [idea]," Postecoglou told ITV about a potential exit for Dier. "Eric didn't train yesterday, he was injured so he's not selected, so that's it."
In his post-match press conference, it was again put to Postecoglou that Dier's absence from the squad was actually related to Bayern's interest, but the Spurs boss did not take kindly to such a line of questioning.
"Separate issue mate, but don't question my integrity," he said. "When I say he's injured, he's injured. He didn't train yesterday. Ask him, but he was injured. Got nothing to do with anything else."
After being pushed further, Postecoglou added: "I've got no idea. When you ask me whether he's injured, he's injured, like I didn't make that up.
"If he wasn't injured, I'd say to you he wasn't selected, it's easy for me to say. He's injured and in terms of anything else that's happening, not on my radar and not that I've heard of. If there is something I'm sure we'll hear of it."