Ange Postecoglou has stated Tottenham “can not afford any extra accidents” after confirming Micky van de Ven and James Maddison is not going to play once more in 2023.
Van de Ven suffered a hamstring damage simply earlier than Maddison limped off with an ankle downside throughout Monday’s 4-1 house defeat to Chelsea.
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Maddison had initially been known as as much as Gareth Southgate’s newest England squad however withdrew on Friday morning because the extent of the issue grew to become clear.
Talking forward of Saturday’s journey to Wolves, Postecoglou outlined his group’s mounting health issues and confirmed Richarlison can even be sidelined following groin surgical procedure.
“Micky has a hamstring damage which we type of knew was pretty important,” Postecoglou stated. “In all probability a few months for him, trying to the New 12 months.
“Madders is loads worse than we thought. Clearly he got here off with the ankle damage however subsequent day he wasn’t nice so we despatched him off for a scan. Once more, not nice for him so most likely into the New 12 months for him.
“Richy had the operation which we type of scheduled anyway as a result of he is been battling with it from day one and with the worldwide break developing, we thought it was time to get it executed. He ought to solely be a month if every little thing goes properly.
“We’re conscious that we’ll should make some modifications however the guys who are available have been coaching laborious and perceive how we need to play.
“I do know folks have stated it has been a bonus that we have not been in Europe or the cups but when we had been, a few of these guys would have had sport time. That is the tough bit. From our perspective, we won’t afford any extra accidents, we have got to be actually cautious in regards to the type of sport time we give folks.”
Reflecting on Van de Ven’s damage, Postecoglou cited the absence of Future Udogie and Cristian Romero, who will each be suspended at Molineux after being despatched off in opposition to Chelsea.
“All of the absences affect the group,” he stated. “The weird one for us, we have misplaced three of our again 4. That is the place we get affected greater than anything. Whether it is was simply Micky, it would not disrupt us as a lot however we have got to usher in three completely different gamers in a again 4 and that is the large problem for us.”
Ben Davies is accessible once more following an ankle downside as Tottenham look to beat the fallout from their first defeat of the season — a sport during which there have been 9 VAR checks and 21 added minutes.
Postecoglou believes the prolonged stoppages created by VAR may result in extra accidents in future.
“I’m not going to attract a direct correlation to Micky’s damage however I used to be half-tempted to throw some balls on the market for them to kick round,” he stated.
“It is the explanation we have now warm-ups however for those who’re going right into a sport… The very fact there was solely 47 minutes of sport time the opposite evening in no matter it was, 110, that’s not preferrred for the type of athletes we have now on the market. It’s a concern.”
