On the back of three successive Premier League losses, Tottenham Hotspur face the toughest possible assignment on Sunday, as champions Manchester City await at the Etihad.
For the third gameweek running, Ange Postecoglou’s men fell to defeat after taking the lead, as Pau Torres and Ollie Watkins cancelled out a Giovani Lo Celso strike in a 2-1 win for Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Lions’ success saw Unai Emery’s team rise into the Champions League places at the expense of Tottenham, who have been bumped down to fifth spot with a third of the season played.
Here, Sporthub360 rounds up Tottenham’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Man City, who came from two goals down to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in Champions League action on Tuesday night.
Rodrigo Bentancur:
Status: Out
Type of issue: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
On his first Premier League start since suffering his devastating ACL injury in February, Rodrigo Bentancur fell victim to a crunching Matty Cash tackle against Villa, and the unfortunate Uruguayan is reportedly facing 10 weeks on the sidelines.
Pape Sarr:
Status: Major doubt
Type of issue: Unspecified
Possible return date: December 3 (vs. Man City)
Pape Sarr returned from Senegal duty with an unspecified injury, which forced the midfielder to sit out the loss to Villa, and he is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the trip to the Etihad.
Ashley Phillips:
Status: Out
Type of issue: Ankle
Possible return date: December 28 (vs. Brighton & Hove Albion)
Teenage defender Ashley Phillips joins Bentancur in the ankle injuries club, having sustained a problem on international duty, and the 18-year-old is not expected to return before Christmas.
Richarlison:
Status: Out
Type of issue: Groin
Possible return date: December 15 (vs. Nottingham Forest)
Richarlison recently underwent a procedure to treat a groin injury which had been bedevilling him since the start of the new term, although he should return to action at some point during the festive period.
Micky van de Ven:
Status: Out
Type of issue: Hamstring
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Manchester United)
In contrast, Micky van de Ven appears to have played his final game in 2023 as the Dutch defender recovers from the severe hamstring injury he picked up against Chelsea.
James Maddison:
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Manchester United)
Similarly, James Maddison went off alongside Van de Ven in the 4-1 loss to Chelsea after damaging his ankle, and the playmaker is also expected to miss the remainder of the calendar year.
Ivan Perisic:
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Out of contract in 2024, Ivan Perisic’s anticipated farewell season at Tottenham has been ruined by an ACL injury, which is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.
Manor Solomon:
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Manchester United)
The newly-signed Manor Solomon is also on the mend following his own knee operation, but unlike Perisic, the Israeli winger should be in contention to return at some point in the New Year.
Ryan Sessegnon:
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: Unknown
Ryan Sessegnon underwent surgery on his latest hamstring injury over the summer months, and while he is expected to return in the not-too-distant future, Postecoglou has not put a timeframe on his rehabilitation.
Alfie Whiteman:
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Alfie Whiteman completes the overflowing Tottenham infirmary with his own ankle injury, which has also been operated on, and there is no indication when the Englishman may be back in action.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S SUSPENSION LIST
Cristian Romero:
Status: Out
Possible return date: December 7 (vs. West Ham United).
Yves Bissouma will return from suspension on Sunday, but Cristian Romero must serve the third of a three-game ban on account of his straight red card against Chelsea.