Tottenham Hotspur head into a crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool this weekend knowing they will be without another important midfield option, as Thomas Frank continues to juggle an ever-growing list of absentees.
Injuries have already stretched the squad to its limits, and the timing of international commitments has now added another layer of difficulty for the Spurs boss.
Avoiding further setbacks has become a major focus around the training ground, especially with so many first-team players still working their way back to fitness. In defence, Destiny Udogie remains sidelined, while Radu Dragusin and Kota Takai are both still in recovery and not yet ready to return.
These absences have forced Frank to rely on limited options at the back, making squad balance increasingly difficult as the fixtures pile up.
The problems do not stop there. Tottenham have also been hit hard in attacking areas, where Dominic Solanke’s recovery has taken far longer than initially expected.
On top of that, influential figures such as Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are still some distance away from making their comebacks. Their absence has been felt in recent weeks, particularly in matches where Spurs have struggled to control games or create enough clear chances.
Now, Tottenham must also plan without Pape Matar Sarr, who has officially been released to join Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations. This loss is not related to injury, but it still removes another body from an already thin midfield group.
Sarr has left North London ahead of Senegal’s opening match, which is due to take place in less than a week, meaning he will be unavailable for the immediate run of domestic fixtures.
Depending on how far Senegal progress in the tournament, Sarr’s absence could be significant. If his national side reach the final, the midfielder could miss up to seven matches for Spurs.
In that scenario, he would not be expected back until after Tottenham’s January encounter with Borussia Dortmund, leaving Frank short of options during a demanding stretch of the season.
While losing any first-team player is far from ideal, the situation with Sarr is slightly different from others on the injury list. Since the November international break, the 23-year-old has found consistent starts hard to come by.
He has made just two starts across seven appearances in that period and was notably left unused on the bench during the heavy 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend. That suggests his role had already been reduced before his departure for international duty.
Even so, Tottenham will still feel his absence. Sarr brings energy, athleticism, and tactical flexibility, qualities that can be vital over a long and crowded schedule.
With injuries already stripping the squad of depth, every available player matters, regardless of whether they have been starting regularly or not. As the season progresses and fatigue begins to take its toll, having reliable options to rotate becomes increasingly important.
Spurs will, of course, wish Sarr well as he represents his country on a major international stage. Playing at AFCON is a huge honour and an important step in any player’s career.
At the same time, there will be an underlying hope within the club that Senegal’s journey is a short one, allowing the midfielder to return to North London sooner rather than later.
For Thomas Frank, the challenge is now about managing what remains. With key players missing through injury and international duty, he must find solutions within a stretched squad while maintaining competitiveness against top opposition.
The Liverpool match is another stern test, and with every absence, the margin for error becomes smaller. As fixtures continue to come thick and fast, Spurs will need resilience, discipline, and a bit of luck on the injury front if they are to navigate this difficult period successfully.
