Tottenham star’s injury worsen than originally feared; ruled out of trip
The treatment room at Hotspur Way has seen more traffic than Tottenham’s backline this season, with Ange Postecoglou’s squad repeatedly decimated at crucial moments.
Sunday’s 4-2 capitulation at Wolves—their 17th Premier League defeat this campaign—laid bare the consequences of this relentless injury crisis, leaving Spurs limping into Thursday’s decisive Europa League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt with their confidence in tatters.
While Postecoglou must accept responsibility for tactical shortcomings, the Australian has been dealt an impossible hand defensively. The latest blow comes with confirmation that loanee Kevin Danso will miss the Frankfurt return leg, depriving Tottenham of their winter defensive reinforcement when they need him most.
Medical expert Dr. Rajpal Brar revealed the Austrian center-back’s hamstring injury appears more severe than initially diagnosed: “This being potentially an over-six-week return suggests a Grade 3 tear rather than the Grade 1 we first thought. A late fitness test for Nottingham Forest might be possible, but Frankfurt comes too soon.”
Danso’s absence compounds an already dire situation. The 26-year-old Lens defender had become an unlikely linchpin during Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven’s concurrent absences, winning over fans with his combative displays before joining Tottenham’s growing injury list during March’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. His eight-game absence has coincided with Spurs’ defensive collapse, conceding 15 goals in that period.
The cruel irony? Just as Romero and Van de Ven return to fitness, Radu Dragusin’s ACL tear and now Danso’s prolonged absence leave Postecoglou with threadbare options at the worst possible moment.
Facing a Frankfurt side brimming with Bundesliga-tested attacking talent like Hugo Ekitike and Mario Götze, Tottenham’s patched-up defense must produce their most disciplined performance of the season to keep European hopes alive.
Postecoglou finds himself in an unenviable position. The Europa League represents both Tottenham’s last shot at redemption and potentially his final chance to salvage a disastrous season.
While the returning Romero-Van de Ven partnership offers hope, their lack of recent playing time together raises concerns about match sharpness against Frankfurt’s rapid transitions.
This injury crisis has exposed the precarious nature of Tottenham’s squad planning. The decision to loan Danso as emergency cover rather than pursue a permanent signing now looks shortsighted, while the failure to adequately replace Davinson Sánchez leaves Postecoglou juggling makeshift solutions. As one player returns, another falls—a vicious cycle that has torpedoed any Premier League aspirations.
Thursday’s showdown in Germany becomes a referendum on Tottenham’s season and possibly Postecoglou’s tenure. Progress would offer respite and a potential route to Champions League qualification through trophy success.
Elimination could accelerate calls for change, despite mitigating circumstances. One thing is certain: in a campaign defined by setbacks, Spurs must finally overcome adversity when it matters most.
For Postecoglou, the equation is simple yet daunting—outwit a superior Frankfurt side with an imperfect defensive unit, or face intensified scrutiny.
The Australian built his reputation as a problem-solver at Celtic, but this Tottenham test may prove his most demanding yet. As injury misfortune compounds tactical and recruitment failures, Spurs’ European dreams hang by the thinnest of threads.