Tottenham dealt a big setback as Guglielmo Vicario will undergo a hernia operation after the Nottingham Forest game.
When things start to look a bit better for Tottenham Hotspur, there’s always a downer waiting somewhere around the corner.
The mood in the Lilywhites camp has changed a bit following the last two results. The 1-1 draw with Liverpool and the win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie has lifted the spirits of Igor Tudor’s side. The elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid leaves Spurs with only the Premier League to focus.
What adds more positivity to their cause is the easing of the injury crisis in N17. Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie returned to the squad against Atletico in midweek after overcoming their injury problems, while Conor Gallagher recovered from a virus to feature off the bench. Joao Palhinha was spotted in team training on Friday afternoon, having missed the last two games due to concussion protocols following a sickening clash of heads with Cristian Romero in Madrid last week.
Amid the refreshing fitness updates, Tottenham have now been handed a big blow ahead of the Nottingham Forest game.
Guglielmo Vicario set to undergo hernia surgery next week
Tottenham have officially confirmed that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will undergo hernia surgery next week. The club issued the following statement on Friday:
“We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery next week on a hernia. The minor procedure for the Italy international goalkeeper has been timed to have as minimal impact on our season as possible. Guglielmo will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, and it is hoped that he could return to action within the next month.”
Despite the hernia issue, Vicario is expected to play in Tottenham’s crucial Premier League encounter against Nottingham Forest. He’ll then have the operation next week, before immediately starting his recovery and rehab with the club’s medical staff. The Italian shot-stopper will spend at least a month on the sidelines, meaning he will miss a few games for Tottenham.
According to a report from Football London, the Spurs No.1 is certain to miss games against Sunderland and Brighton on April 12 and 18, respectively. Vicario could be touch-and-go for the away game at Wolves on April 25, depending on his recovery and rehabilitation from the hernia operation.
Antonin Kinsky to get shot at redemption in April
In Vicario’s absence, Antonin Kinsky will return to the first XI. The 23-year-old will get a shot at redemption after Tudor controversially replaced him with Vicario in the 17th minute of their Champions League last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid following his two high-profile errors. His mistakes were ruthlessly punished by Atletico as they won the first leg 5-2 at home.
Tudor decided to hand Antonin Kinsky a chance ahead of the experienced Vicario in goal last week, but his first start in the Champions League turned into a nightmare. The Czech Republic Under-21 international was consoled by his teammates after he was substituted, and it felt like he would not feature for Spurs again this season.
However, as the saying goes, “One man’s misery is another man’s fortune”, Spurs’ No.2 is expected to find himself in goal after the upcoming international break. Kinsky is set for an enforced recall, and that gives him the perfect opportunity to redeem himself and earn back the gaffer’s trust.