After losing back-to-back Premier League games, Tottenham Hotspur will be itching to return to action after the international break. Ange Postecoglou’s men had started the season with eight wins from ten matches but have dropped down to fourth after defeats to Chelsea and Wolves.
It’s not just the results that have gone against Spurs with Postecoglou suffering a number of injury setbacks, and seeing two key players miss the rest of 2023. Micky van de Ven (hamstring) and James Maddison (ankle) were both forced off in the first-half of the 4-1 loss to Chelsea after starting life in north London in fine form.
“Micky, obviously, as we saw the other night, [suffered] a fairly significant hamstring injury,” Postecoglou said. “So, without putting a firm timeline on it, at least a couple of months out for him, so we’re looking at the new year.”
On Maddison, the Spurs boss added: “He got quite a significant ankle injury the other night and was sent for scans. It wasn’t great, so he’ll be out for a period of time, probably into the new year as well.”
Despite the blow to Van de Ven and Maddison, it looks as though Tottenham will welcome their international stars back without any fresh concerns ahead of the weekend’s clash with Aston Villa. Captain Son Heung-min had sparked fears when he went down injured in South Korea’s win over Singapore, but the forward played the entirety of the 3-0 win over China on Tuesday – scoring twice.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was forced to leave the Italy squad after picking up flu symptoms and replaced by Atalanta’s Marco Carnescchi. Destiny Udogie was left out of the squad, though football.london understands that it’s only precautionary and he should be OK for the visit of Aston Villa.
Romero, who is suspended for the games against Villa and Manchester City, has been in action for Argentina. The world champions suffered their first defeat in their World Cup qualifying campaign at the hands of Uruguay and eyes will be on the centre-back’s performance against Brazil overnight.
Five players join Maddison and Van de Ven in the medical room at Hotspur Way. Richarlison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Alfie Whiteman and Ivan Perisic are all out, meaning Postecoglou faces being without nine players for Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.