Tottenham are hoping to welcome a number of injured players back into the fold after the international break as they look to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League, though a defensive crisis could be brewing.
uncertain
crisis → hop → League
A chastening, winless start to the campaign has left Spurs dead last in the table heading into this international break, but they have not been helped by the absence of Pedro Porro and some of his team-mates.
asserted
they → leave → mates
But as Roberto De Zerbi gets set to visit Old Trafford in search of a much-needed three points, he may be able to bring some long-term absentees along for the ride.
uncertain
he → set → ride
Tottenham suffered a new scare on Sunday night when captain Micky van de Ven was forced off late on during the Netherlands’ Nations League win over Serbia in Belgrade.
asserted
Ven → suffer → Belgrade
The centre-back accidentally had his hand stepped on by Luka Jovic and could not continue, leaving the Netherlands to see out the match with 10 men as they had already used all of their allotted substitutions.
uncertain
they → have → substitutions
The sight of Van de Ven going off injured will have been hugely concerning for Spurs fans, though Dutch boss Xavi confirmed afterwards that it was not a serious problem.
“He’s ok, he felt dizzy because he suffered with his finger.
asserted
he → go → finger
It’s not a big injury,” Xavi said.
asserted
Xavi → ’ → ?
Potential return date: October 10 vs Manchester United (A)
Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro withdrew from Spain’s squad for this international break after picking up a hamstring injury against Aston Villa last month.
asserted
Porro → withdraw → Villa
The right-back lasted just 19 minutes before being forced off, with reports suggesting he is set for a month on the sidelines.
asserted
he → last → sidelines
He has spent the international break working with coaches in Spain as he bids to build his fitness back up.
asserted
he → spend → fitness
After three weeks of rest and recuperation, it is hoped he will be able to return before the end of October.
asserted
he → hop → October
Read More
Potential return date: October 19 vs Coventry (H)
Jan Paul van Hecke
He was stamped while facing Serbia but went on to complete 90 minutes.
asserted
He → read → minutes
But the injury flared up during an open training session the next day and he subsequently withdrew from the squad.
asserted
he → flare → squad
Xavi explained: “During the match against Serbia, someone stepped on him,” the new Netherlands boss said before the game against Greece.
asserted
boss → explain → Greece
“He didn’t realise it during the match, but afterwards it was impossible for him to play.
asserted
him → realise → match
“He really wanted to try, but he was in a lot of pain.
asserted
he → want → pain
That is why we decided to take him off the list.
asserted
we → decide → list
“He tried to participate in recovery training (on Tuesday).
asserted
He → try → Tuesday
He tried again today, but he couldn’t touch the ball.”
asserted
he → try → ball
It remains to be seen how severe his injury is or when he might return.
uncertain
he → remain → ?
Potential return date: Unknown
Dejan Kulusevski
A lengthy recovery has seen him undergo multiple procedures and suffer a variety of setbacks, but he is now back in first-team training and has been since September.
asserted
he → see → September
De Zerbi has said the international break will be a good opportunity for him to build his fitness back up, and it is hoped he can return to the pitch in the coming weeks.
Tottenham, though, are being very cautious with him as they look to ease him back into professional play and avoid another reinjury.
asserted
they → say → reinjury
Potential return date: October/November
Mykhailo Mudryk
He picked up an ankle injury in training in early September which De Zerbi has described as “stupid”.
asserted
Zerbi → pick → which
He returned to chelsea to recover, and is expected to spend eight weeks on the sidelines.
asserted
He → return → sidelines
That means he will miss this week’s trip to Old Trafford, but could return before the month is out.
uncertain
month → mean → Trafford
Potential return date: October 31 vs Crystal Palace (H)
Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons is in recovery after undergoing surgery on a ruptured ACL over the summer.
asserted
Simons → undergo → summer
He has stepped up his recovery and is said to be progressing well, but he is not expected to touch the pitch until the new year.
asserted
he → step → year
Potential return date: Early 2027
Wilson Odobert
Wilson Odobert has been sidelined since February after undergoing surgery on a ruptured ACL in his left knee.
asserted
Odobert → sideline → knee
He is said to be in the latter stages of his recovery process and could return to the pitch as early as November.
Potential return date: Late November
uncertain
He → say → November
The Aporia
.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75)
