TOTTENHAM will be without Rodrigo Bentancur for three months in another stinging injury setback for under-fire manager Thomas Frank.
Bentancur, 28, was subbed off with a hamstring problem late in the game against Bournemouth last Wednesday.
And as if Antoine Semenyo’s 95th-minute Cherries winner wasn’t bitter enough for Spurs, they are now set to be without one of their key players for an extended period.
No Tottenham midfielder has played more minutes than Bentancur in the Premier League this season.
And Frank was already desperately short of bodies in the middle of the park.
Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma have been at the Africa Cup of Nations, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are both long-term absentees, and Lucas Bergvall is another who was struck down in the Bournemouth game.
Frank admitted that Bentancur’s hamstring injury “looked like a bigger one” and his fears were confirmed by further tests.
Spurs are now expected to try and remedy their midfielder shortage in the winter transfer window.
The North Londoners have already raised £35million through the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace.
Teenage left-back Souza is expected to complete a £13m move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from Santos.
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He could be joined by Conor Gallagher or Carlos Baleba, who have both been touted as potential midfield targets.
Spurs may also consider recalling Alfie Devine or Tyrese Hall, who are on loan at Preston and Notts County respectively.
Danish manager Frank is in need of a quick fix amid a concerning run of results which has left Tottenham 14th in the Premier League.