It was at this point 12 months ago when the injuries really started to pile up for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham. One year on, Spurs have again had some scares on the injury front and they will be desperate to avoid a repeat scenario this time around.
Seeing Wilson Odobert return to the treatment room so soon after making his comeback from a hamstring injury, the summer addition looks set for a period on the sidelines as the head coach admitted that the winger’s issue is “a serious one”.
Micky van de Ven will not feature for Tottenham until after this month’s international break after straining his hamstring in the Carabao Cup win against Manchester City. The Dutchman’s defensive partner, Cristian Romero, then left the pitch early in the second half in Sunday’s home win over Aston Villa after sustaining a foot injury.
That wasn’t the only bad news to come from the game as Richarlison also appeared to pick up a hamstring problem when squaring the ball for Dominic Solanke to make it 3-1. The latest injury to the Brazilian does leave Postecoglou with a big decision to make heading into Thursday’s Europa League tie away at Galatasaray.
Very much a game Richarlison would have started in order to give Solanke a breather due to the amount of minutes he has played of late, it looks like the head coach will not have that luxury now unless the ex-Everton man makes the most remarkable of comebacks in time for the game in Istanbul. As Postecoglou perhaps won’t want to push Son Heung-min too much right now after taking him off just prior to the hour mark on his return from injury, the Australian may have to decide between Solanke or Will Lankshear to lead the line.
Many will be hoping that Solanke is given a well-earned rest, especially going on the rate Tottenham are picking up injuries at present. The summer signing has made a huge impact since his big-money move from Bournemouth and the team certainly cannot afford to lose him given what he brings to the frontline.
