Tottenham left-back Destiny Udogie is touch and go for the trip to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon
Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to follow up their comprehensive win over newly-promoted Burnley when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Spurs dismantled Scott Parker’s side 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, thanks to a fantastic brace from Richarlison. There were some neat, intricate play in the final third for the fans to witness last weekend, as Thomas Frank’s side were full value for all three points.
Thomas Frank and Co. will be aiming to take the momentum from that win to Manchester. The Sky Blues could not have asked for a better start to the season themselves, and will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce. They represent a tough task for the Lilywhites after their impressive battering of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on opening weekend of the campaign.
Tottenham left-back Destiny Udogie is touch and go for the trip to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Thomas Frank will be hoping to see Destiny Udogie recover from his knee problem in time for the game vs Man City
Injury expert does not expect Tottenham defender to start vs Man City
Tottenham were without a couple of notable absentees for their win over Burnley. One of them was Destiny Udogie, with Frank opting to use Djed Spence at left-back.
The Italy international’s absence has been sorely felt. He missed the pre-season tour of Asia after a knee problem sustained in the warm-up against Luton Town, with Spence deputising at left-back. Last week, Frank claimed in his presser that Destiny Udogie has been progressing well, but the game against Burnley was too early for him.
The Danish tactician will be hoping for an injury boost ahead of the trip to Man City. However, Dr Rajpal Brar feels that while Udogie has been progressing well from his knee problem, he is not yet ready to start games for Spurs.
“Challenging to say if Udogie will be ready to start the next one and it’s highly unlikely, but it sounds like he is progressing well,” Dr Rajpal Brar exclusively told Tottenham News.
“This sounds like a moderate knee issue based on how long he’s been out for.
“He will need multiple bounce matches and consistent minutes to get closer to 100 per cent fitness.”
Tottenham left-back Destiny Udogie is touch and go for the trip to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is expected to stick with the same back four that starred in the win over Burnley
Thomas Frank to go with an unchanged backline
After a 3-0 win over Burnley, there seems little reason for Frank to make alterations to his defence, though his team will have to be stronger and tighter at Man City.
Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven and Spence comprised of the back four last weekend in front of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, as Tottenham kept a clean sheet. It is expected to be unchanged, even if Udogie becomes fit and available for selection. Frank will not risk putting the 22-year-old straight back into the XI, especially against Pep Guardiola’s City side.
Spence must follow up his Burnley showing with a strong outing at the Etihad Stadium to repay Frank’s faith in him. Should Udogie is passed fit after almost a month on the sidelines, we expect him to start on the bench and get some minutes in the closing stages of encounter.