Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford are set for a London derby this Saturday, but both sides will be significantly hampered by a lengthy list of unavailable players. A total of nine first-team stars are confirmed to be missing from the Premier League encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Brentford's Injury Concerns Mount
Thomas Frank's Brentford squad has been hit hard, particularly in midfield and attack. Fabio Carvalho is out for the long term with a serious knee injury and will not return until next season, following a successful operation. Young midfielder Antoni Milambo is in a similar situation, having undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in early November.
Joshua DaSilva continues his long recovery from an ACL repair and subsequent surgeries. While he is back in training, he is not expected to be reintegrated into team training until next month. The major blow in attack is the absence of striker Dominic Solanke. Manager Thomas Frank stated they are being cautious to avoid a setback, indicating Solanke is likely still 10 days away from a return.
There is a small piece of positive news for the Bees, with Aaron Hickey expected to be fit after recovering from a knock.
Spurs' Squad Depleted for Derby Clash
Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham are also navigating a significant injury crisis. The most severe absence is James Maddison, who ruptured his ACL in August and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season after undergoing surgery.
Playmaker Dejan Kulusevski remains sidelined and is not anticipated back until late December, as he is not yet back in full training. Defender Radu Dragusin is also ruled out, with Frank indicating he needs another week or two before being ready to start.
In midfield, Yves Bissouma has been out since October with a knee ligament injury, and there is no clear timeline for his return. The news is slightly better for Takai, who is back in training but will require time to build match fitness after a long spell out.
Match Context and League Standings
The match comes after Tottenham's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Newcastle United, a result that demonstrated their resilience. Spurs currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, five points off the top four.
Brentford, positioned 13th and separated only by goal difference, are looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat to Arsenal. The absence of so many key players for both sides is sure to influence the tactics and team selection for this crucial London derby, making it a test of squad depth for managers Thomas Frank and Ange Postecoglou.
