Tottenham have been dealt another crushing injury setback with the news midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur set to miss at least two months with an ankle injury.

The Uruguay international made his first start since February after a serious knee injury in Sunday’s loss versus Aston Villa.

But he limped off after a heavy challenge from Matty Cash and following assessment, medics fear he will not be fit to return until February.

It comes as a huge blow to Ange Postecoglou, who is already missing a host of key players – including James Maddison and Mickey van de Ven – through injury.

🚨| Rodrigo Bentancur tore the ligament in his ankle after the tackle from Cash. He will be out for almost 2 and a half months minimum. Return around mid-February. @Buysan 💔🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/dTcMvBT4d2

— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) November 28, 2023

Postecoglou had admitted following the 2-1 home defeat against Aston Villa that another injury was the last thing his Tottenham side needed.

‘It wasn’t a great tackle. I thought he started the game so well,’ Postecoglou said on Saturday.

‘That’s the last thing we need — another injury. We’ve got eight [players injured], Bentancur nine. It’s just the situation we’re in at the minute.

‘We’ll get through it. It might take a while, but we’ll get through it. I’m sure when you come through the other side, we’ll be a very good football team.

‘We’ve just got to make sure the players stay focused on what’s important right now.’

Bentancur joins Maddison, Van de Ven, Manor Solomon and Ivan Perisic on Tottenham’s list of long-term absentees.

Ryan Sessegnon and Richarlison have also been absent with injuries for Spurs, while Pape Matar Sarr missed the defeat against Aston Villa after sustaining a hamstring injury on international duty.

Bentancur’s injury will be a further blow to Postecoglou, with Spurs set to lose both Yves Bissouma and Sarr in January for the Africa Cup of Nations.

List of Games Rodrigo Bentancur will miss for Tottenham:

Man City (A)
West Ham (H)
Newcastle (H)
Forest (A)
Everton (H)
Brighton (A)
Bournemouth (H)
FA Cup Third Round
Man Utd (A)
FA Cup Fourth Round
Brentford (H)
Everton (A)
Brighton (H)
Wolves (H)
Chelsea (A).

Son Heung-Min is also due to represent South Korea at the Asian Cup.

Postecoglou will take his injury-hit side to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to face Manchester City as Spurs bid to halt a run of successive defeats.