Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has been handed a significant double injury setback ahead of this weekend's Premier League London derby against West Ham United.
Major Surgery Blow for Key Midfielder
The most severe news concerns midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who has now undergone surgery on a right hamstring injury. The procedure means the Uruguayan international is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Club sources indicate a return before the March international break is highly unlikely, with April viewed as the earliest possible comeback date.
In another major blow, winger Mohammed Kudus is also facing months out of action. Frank confirmed the Ghanaian has suffered a significant issue with the tendon in his quadriceps. "Mohammed, unfortunately, is a bigger one," the manager stated. "That is one where we expect him back after the March international break." This similarly points to an April return for the influential attacker.
Kulusevski and Maddison Updates
The situation surrounding Dejan Kulusevski remains complex. Frank explained the Swedish forward is dealing with a complicated knee injury and recently had an injection to manage pain. "We will know in 3-4 weeks if that has settled," Frank said. While a return this month is improbable, there is hope Kulusevski could be back on the training pitch in February, with a mid-February comeback a tentative target pending his recovery.
In a season-defining absence, James Maddison is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign with a serious knee injury. Frank labelled it a "long-term injury" in December, offering no specific timeframe but confirming the playmaker would be out for "a long time." A return for pre-season training is now the most likely scenario.
Fresh Concerns and Immediate Returns
Adding to Frank's selection headache is a new concern for striker Richarlison. The Brazilian has sustained a hamstring injury, though the club are yet to determine its full severity. The recovery time could range from a few weeks for minor tightness to several months for a significant tear, with a return date currently to be confirmed.
There is some positive news, however. Youngster Lucas Bergvall, who missed the recent match against Aston Villa, is not thought to have a serious problem and could be in contention for the squad to face West Ham on January 17.
This injury crisis piles pressure on Frank following Spurs' FA Cup exit, with the imminent signing of Conor Gallagher from Chelsea now taking on even greater importance to bolster a depleted squad.
