Two Tottenham Hotspur players look set to return to the matchday squad this weekend
Mateus Fernandes (L) and Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate after Dominic Solanke scores the second goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 26, 2026 in London, England
Mateus Fernandes and Rodrigo Bentancur for Tottenham Hotspur.(Image: Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall are set to return to the Tottenham Hotspur squad this weekend. The Lilywhites midfielders have missed each of the last three Premier League games due to suspension and injury, respectively, but they could face Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Bentancur was sent off for violent conduct during the hard-fought draw to Manchester United last month, subsequently receiving a three-match ban. The Uruguay international had planted his head in the face of Luke Shaw, sparking a mass brawl.
A couple of moments earlier, he dived into a tackle, studs up, on the Red Devils defender. Bentancur was then shoved off the pitch, falling to the ground in a heap, beneath the nose of pitchside supporters at Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan leapt to his feet and confronted Shaw. Once things had simmered down, Bentancur was shown a red card by Stewart Atwell, with the Premier League Match Centre confirming 'movement of the head' with 'some force'.
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Before the 29-year-old was given his marching orders, Bergvall suffered a knock. Ironically, the Sweden international was replaced by Bentancur, who lasted no more than a quarter of an hour.
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Speaking to reporters last month, De Zerbi confirmed that Bergvall had sustained a knee problem. The Spurs boss said: "Bergvall had a problem in Manchester early on in the first chance he created for [Dominic] Solanke.
"He felt pain in his knee but felt fine, and on Sunday he came to the training ground, and he'll be out for two weeks."
Although Bentancur put himself out of action for three games, De Zerbi was delighted with the acts of camaraderie that followed. Speaking to reporters at Old Trafford a few weeks ago, the Italian said: "I kissed Rodrigo, and I said thanks.
"It's clear it's a mistake from Rodrigo, because it's not the right reaction in football, but now Tottenham needs to react. Sometimes the reactions are not nice, not positive for the team, but I think in that moment, in 10 players, maybe we played with more courage.
"We played with more energy, and we changed the game, and for a long time Tottenham played without this blood, this character. Now I am the coach, and I want to see this character every game, because Manchester United in the second half showed character.
"Not just with the quality we can win the game, with the qualities, with the character, with the right energy, I think we are going to win many games, and we are going to score many goals."
Bentancur sparked the reaction from the squad that De Zerbi had dreamed of. Tottenham have since won each of their following three Premier League games, placing them in the top half of the table for the first time this season.
Although Spurs managed just fine in the absence of the Uruguayan and Bergvall, De Zerbi will be delighted to welcome the two midfielders back to the matchday squad this weekend. He just needs to figure out who to play in the middle of the park...