JUST IN – Trouble for Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham set to miss another set of important players vs Manchester united as Medicals confirm fresh injury.
Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a big blow ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United with Ben Davies and Gio Lo Celso ruled out of this weekend’s big Premier League clash.
With Manchester United’s own injury crisis easing somewhat, it’s now Spurs’ turn to wrestle with a curse threatening to derail their season.
While £34 million centre-half Micky van de Ven is ‘ready’ to make his comeback after a lengthy spell out with a hamstring issue, Ange Postecoglou could be without no fewer than five of the players who started in August’s 2-0 win over the Red Devils during this weekend’s return fixture.
Heung-Min Son, Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr – the latter of whom opened the scoring five months ago – are away at the Asian Cup and African Cup of Nations respectively. James Maddison, Alejo Veliz and Manor Solomon are also unavailable.
Tottenham duo ruled out of Manchester United clash
The trip to Old Trafford may also come too soon for Cristian Romero, the World Cup winner only recently returning to training. What’s more, Postecoglou is also unable to call upon Gio Lo Celso – the playmaker who stepped up in Maddison’s absence – and arguably the club’s most consistent performer in Ben Davies.
“From last week (against Burnley in the FA Cup), Ben Davies came off with a hamstring (issue). Probably looking at a month or so with him. Gio Lo Celso, similar, but it’s a bit harder to diagnose where he’s at so we’ll send him for tests on Monday. But he’s out,” Postecoglou tells Football London.
“(Young striker) Dane Scarlett has picked up an injury in training so he’s out. Both muscle injuries – Dane hamstring, Gio muscle.
“The only one to join the main group today is Romero, and that’s it, I think. He’s just started training. So, it’s fair to say it might be a bit close (for him to return) this weekend.”
Spurs signings could make Old Trafford bow
One bit of good news for Postecoglou to savour, however, is the £26 million signing of Radu Dragusin from Genoa. He could step in for Romero as long. So long as a work permit can be obtained before the close of play on Friday, of course.
Timo Werner, heavily linked with Man United in recent weeks, could also make his Spurs debut in the North West.
“From what I’m told, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Postecoglou adds of Dragusin’s availability. “If all the relevant paperwork comes through, he’ll be in the squad.”
