France coach Didier Deschamps has eased fears over the seriousness of the injury Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele picked up at the weekend.
Ndombele went down holding his groin midway through the first half of Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Sheffield United and was substituted at the break. After the game, Mauricio Pochettino came out with his usual line on injuries: “We hope it is not a big issue.”
Those words usually provoke predictions of lengthy lay-offs, as has been the case with many Tottenham players in the past. But Deschamps has suggested Ndombele could even play for France this week.
The World Cup-winning manager told reporters that Ndombele’s injury should subside in the next couple of days, which is great news for Les Bleus and Spurs.
“It’s not very bad,” Dechamps said (via L’Equipe). “He has a little worry that should be resolved within 48 hours.
“If I had uncertainty, I would have made the decision (to replace Ndombele), but that is not the case.”
Ndombele was arguably Tottenham’s best player in the first half on Saturday, and Pochettino’s men struggled to break Sheffield United down without him. Indeed, he has already become a key man since arriving from Lyon in the summer.
Pochettino will privately be hoping the 22-year-old is rested by Deschamps during the international break so that he is ready to play against West Ham United when club football returns.
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