Tottenham’s injury list continues to grow and ahead of what could be our most important game of the season, we could be down to just four fit, senior defenders. There are issues in other areas of the park but the defence is the main concern leading up to the Chelsea game at the weekend.
In fact, the scenario could be even worse if Kyle Walker fails to recover from the hip injury that kept him out of this week’s England tie with Denmark. In his press conference, Roy Hodgson revealed,
“As you know Kyle hasn’t played for the last two or three games for Tottenham but we were rather hoping that when I selected the squad he would recover and play for Tottenham at the weekend and be fit to play for us.
“Unfortunately it is another week before he will be fit to play so we have to let him go.”
Those comments do infer that Walker will be fit for the weekend but there is a further concern over Zeki Fryers. Among the remaining injured are Danny Rose, Vlad Chiriches and Younes Kaboul leaving Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen and Naughton for Saturday.
Alternatively, if Walker doesn’t make it then it could be Naughton on the right with Vertonghen switching to left back and Etienne Capoue coming into the centre. There’s any number of permutations but it’s not an ideal situation ahead of such an important game.
Kaboul is a great player but his injuries are now a major concern. He can’t play more that one game a month let alone one a week. He looked fine against Newcastle and hasn’t been seen since.
If it’s is going to be the ongoing pattern of his career we have to let him go. Toby Alderwierld is making noises about leaving Athletico, he has played with and formed a good pairing with Vertonghen at Ajax, lets go for him. May also convince Vertonghen to remain at the lane
Poor Kaboul… seems such a shame for such a great player. I thought Rose’s injury was minor. Vlad will be back soon I hear, but not next weekend. Don’t fancy facing Chelsea with only Daws to head away their set pieces. Bring back Caulker next season I say.
uh oh…….the thought of naughton and dawson against hazard and etto makes me cringe. As much as i love loyalty…..i think Dawson and Naughton have to go at the end of the season if we want to progress. They are simply not consistantly good enough. Would love to replace them with coentrao and hummels!