Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a double injury setback ahead of their crucial Champions League clash against Slavia Prague on Tuesday. Thomas Frank confirmed that Destiny Udogie will be sidelined after picking up a soft tissue injury in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
Speaking to the media, Frank said, “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.” While the manager suggested that Udogie’s absence may not be lengthy, Spurs are already dealing with several long-term absentees, including James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke.
In addition, Mathys Tel is unavailable as he was not registered in the club’s Champions League squad, limiting Frank’s attacking options further.
Despite the injury concerns, Tottenham eased some pressure on their manager with a confident 2-0 win over Brentford at home. The victory marked Spurs’ first home win in the Premier League since August 16 and gave fans a glimpse of the potential within the squad when firing on all cylinders.
Summer signing Xavi Simons was a standout performer, showcasing his creativity and vision in the midfield, while Archie Gray impressed with his energy and composure, catching the eye as he helped control the tempo of the game.
The win was a much-needed boost for the team, giving Frank the chance to regroup and focus on upcoming fixtures without the shadow of consecutive poor results hanging over the squad.
Frank praised his players’ performance against Brentford, stressing the importance of building momentum from the positive display. “Yeah, that is the standard,” he said.
“Sometimes there’s more tight games, as we know, but I like what I saw from the team and that’s what we need to build on and try to become even better.” The manager’s focus now shifts to maintaining that level of performance despite the injury setbacks, particularly with European competition on the horizon.
Spurs will need to carefully manage their squad as they prepare for the midweek clash, balancing fitness, form, and tactical needs.
The timing of Udogie’s injury could not have been worse, as Spurs rely heavily on their left-back for both defensive stability and attacking width. The absence of other key players only adds to the challenge, making squad rotation and strategic planning critical.
Frank’s ability to adapt and motivate the squad in the coming days will be crucial if Tottenham are to secure a positive result against Slavia Prague. With the Champions League group stage progressing and Premier League matches continuing at a relentless pace, Frank’s squad must navigate these hurdles while maintaining focus and cohesion.
The win against Brentford demonstrated the squad’s potential when operating at their best, but the upcoming fixtures will test their depth and resilience.
Players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray will need to continue their form, and Frank will have to find solutions to compensate for the absences of Udogie and other unavailable players.
Spurs are entering a pivotal period, and how they manage injuries, rotations, and performance consistency will shape their chances of progressing in Europe while keeping their Premier League campaign on track.
