Cristian Romero is expected to be fit for Tottenham’s game against Brighton, although he was substituted for Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Everton because of a tight hamstring.
Eric Dier replaced the 25-year-old at half-time, who rested his right foot on the ice at the start of the second half but was later seen walking freely.
He will be evaluated before the game and is likely to start at the Amex alongside Ben Davies in the middle of the park, as Micky van de Ven is still out until January with a hamstring injury.
Manager Ange Postecoglou said that Romero’s substitution was a precautionary move in the wake of Spurs’ win over Everton. “Just before half-time he felt a strain in his thigh, so we had to take him off,” the Spurs boss explained.
Tottenham’s first goal scorer Richarlison was replaced in the 63rd minute by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who was suffering from back pain.
“Yes, he’s fine,” Postecoglou said. “Yesterday [Friday] in training he had some back pain. He wasn’t 100 per cent, but he wanted to start today.
“He won the game, it’s pleasing for him that he took the goal well and worked hard for us, but I kind of knew that at some point I would have to take him down. But I don’t think it’s anything serious.”
Meanwhile, left-sided defender Destiny Udogie is available for selection again, having served a one-month suspension after collecting five yellow cards during the season. Yves Bissouma is still suspended for the match against Brighton and two further games.
Tottenham’s starting eleven (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Sarr, Skipp; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Richarlison
Doubles: Romero, Richarlison
Injuries: Perisic, Maddison, Bentancur, Van de Ven, Sessegnon, Solomon, Whiteman
Suspended: Bissouma
Date and time: 19:30 CET, Thursday 28 December 2023
Venue: Amex Stadium.