Thomas Frank provides injury update on Tottenham Hotspur duo Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie ahead of Everton trip
Tottenham Hotspur have endured a mixed start to the season under new head coach Thomas Frank. Despite winning the Europa League last season, a significant injury crisis has carried over and hampered their progress, with key players like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remaining long-term absentees.
Several Spurs players have been added to infirmary, including two stars who have proven themselves to be vital to the club’s success. Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie have missed the last two games against Aston Villa and AS Monaco due to injury problems.
Cristian Romero suffered a minor groin strain in the warm-up before the defeat by Aston Villa last weekend. Tottenham were forced into making a change, and Kevin Danso was a late call-up. The Argentina international was subsequently unavailable for the trip to AS Monaco in the Champions League fixture on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Destiny Udogie felt “irritation” on his knee after returning from international break, ruling him out for the games against Villa and AS Monaco.
Thomas Frank provides injury update on Tottenham Hotspur duo Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie ahead of Everton trip.
Cristian Romero doubtful, Destiny Udogie ruled out vs Everton
Thomas Frank gives injury update on Tottenham’s defensive duo ahead of trip to Everton
Tottenham are back in the Premier League as they travel to Merseyside to face Everton on Sunday. After escaping with a point in the goalless draw with AS Monaco in the Champions League, the Lilywhites must be desperate to put in an improved showing against Everton and get back to winning ways.
Thomas Frank has to make changes to his side that royally underperformed in France in midweek. Addressing the media ahead of the game, he was asked to give an update on Romero and Udogie. The Spurs gaffer said (h/t Football London):
“Cuti [Romero] just walked out on the grass running, positive and progressing, no timeframe but I don’t expect it to be a longer one.
“Destiny isn’t on the grass yet, not a longer one.”
Romero doubtful, Udogie ruled out
Frank has given a positive update regarding Romero’s injury. It is good to hear from the gaffer that our star defender has not suffered a serious adductor problem and is already running on the grass. Whether the 2022 World Cup winner will be risked on Sunday remains to be seen. With no timeframe given, it is likely he misses out on the trip to Everton. This means we’d witness Danso pair up with Van de Ven in central defence once again.
Udogie will not feature against Everton as he is not on the grass yet. The Italian has endured another injury-hit start to the campaign, missing plenty of action already. The left-back will now hope to use the next week to recover and potentially return before the international break, as his absence isn’t expected to be long.
Djed Spence is expected to start against Everton, although we cannot rule out young Archie Gray keeping his place intact at left-back after performing well at the Principality Stadium in midweek.