The state of the Tottenham Hotspur treatment room has become a defining narrative of their 2026 campaign. While interim manager Igor Tudor has recently welcomed a few vital pillars back to the grass, the overall injury landscape remains a complicated puzzle.
The return of Micky van de Ven who shook off a minor toe scare to feature alongside the defensive reinforcements of Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso, provided a fleeting sense of relief. However, that optimism was quickly tempered by fresh setbacks and the realization that several of the club’s most influential creators remain long-term absentees.
As Spurs prepare for a high-stakes home clash against Crystal Palace on March 5, the medical staff is working overtime to bridge the gap between a skeleton squad and a competitive Premier League outfit.
One of the most frustrating recent developments involves Djed Spence. Just as the versatile defender seemed poised to claim a regular spot in Tudor’s hybrid system, he was struck down by a calf injury.
Spence was a notable omission from the matchday squad during the disappointing trip to Craven Cottage, and his absence has left a void in the wing-back positions. Calf strains are notoriously fickle, often requiring a delicate balance of rest and progressive loading to avoid a recurrence.
At this stage, the club has not provided a definitive timeline for his return. Given the quick turnaround for the Palace game, he remains a significant doubt, leaving the coaching staff to scan the horizon for his eventual re-integration.
Further up the pitch, the creative void is even more pronounced. Lucas Bergvall, the Swedish sensation who arrived with so much promise, remains sidelined following an ankle injury sustained during the victory over Borussia Dortmund in January.
The youngster was required to go under the knife, a procedure that typically demands a three-month recovery window. There is, however, a silver lining appearing on the horizon. Recent reports from his native Sweden suggest that Bergvall has shed his protective boot and is progressing through his rehabilitation ahead of schedule.
While a return to domestic action is likely penciled in for April, there is an outside chance he could feature for Sweden in their crucial World Cup play-off against Ukraine at the end of March.
The absence of Mohammed Kudus is perhaps felt most keenly by the Tottenham faithful. The Ghanaian international, who provides the unpredictable flair and ball-carrying ability the team currently lacks, has been out since early January with a persistent hamstring injury.
In a bid to accelerate his recovery, Kudus recently traveled to Amsterdam to consult with a specialist he trusted during his time at Ajax. This proactive approach suggests that both the player and the club are desperate to see him back on the pitch for the final stretch of the season.
As it stands, he is targeting a return to full training immediately following the March international break, which would put him in contention for a critical April run-in.
The defensive stability of the team has also been compromised by the loss of Destiny Udogie. The left-back suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester United in February, which, fortunately, did not require surgical intervention. Initial assessments suggested a four-to-five-week layoff, meaning Udogie is still at least a fortnight away from being considered for selection.
Igor Tudor has been famously vague when asked about Udogie’s progress, emphasizing a philosophy of “it’s ready when it’s ready.” For Tudor, the priority is ensuring that when these high-intensity players return, they do so in a condition that allows them to survive the physical demands of his “shock-and-awe” training methods.
Perhaps the most emotional injury story at Hotspur Way involves Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede has been battling a serious patella injury since the end of last season, a grueling recovery that has tested his mental fortitude. Tudor, who coached Kulusevski during their shared time at Juventus, has spoken warmly about the player’s character and work ethic.
Recent footage of Kulusevski performing intensive single-legged squats in the gym has ignited hope among the fans, yet the medical team remains cautious. A patella injury is complex, affecting the very mechanics of a player’s gait and explosive power. While the doctors are positive, his return date remains officially “unknown,” as the club refuses to rush a player of his long-term value.
| Tottenham Injury Status Report | Player | Expected Return |
| Calf Strain | Djed Spence | Late March (TBC) |
| Ankle Surgery | Lucas Bergvall | April |
| Hamstring Tear | Mohammed Kudus | April |
| Hamstring Strain | Destiny Udogie | April |
| Patella Injury | Dejan Kulusevski | Unknown |
| Knee Surgery | Wilson Odobert | 2026/27 Season |
| Ankle Fracture | Ben Davies | June (End of Contract) |
| Knee Surgery | James Maddison | Summer 2026 |
The long-term list is equally sobering. Wilson Odobert is the latest addition to the “out until next season” category following a severe knee injury against Newcastle. The club has confirmed he will undergo surgery, effectively ending his campaign before it truly began. Similarly, James Maddison remains a distant figure on the recovery trail after his pre-season injury in South Korea; he is not expected to be seen in a Spurs shirt until the summer of 2026.
Finally, we may have seen the last of Ben Davies in a Tottenham kit. The club legend, who has served for over a decade, is recovering from a second operation on a broken ankle. With his contract expiring this summer, his focus is likely shifting toward a race against time to be fit for Wales should they qualify for the World Cup.
In the face of such a daunting list, Igor Tudor’s challenge is to cultivate a “no-excuses” culture. While the quality of the missing players is undeniable, the current squad must find a way to secure Premier League safety without them.
The return of Porro and Van de Ven is a start, but the month of April looms as the true turning point when the likes of Kudus, Bergvall, and Udogie are expected to finally provide the reinforcements this struggling side so desperately needs.
