Tottenham Hotspur will be without midfielder Lucas Bergvall for a further six weeks, according to TEAMtalk journalist Dean Jones, as interim manager Igor Tudor faces an injury crisis in his first match in charge against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Croatian arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week to try and ensure Spurs are not sucked into a genuine relegation battle in the closing weeks of the 2025-26 season, starting with the visit of Arsenal this weekend.
Last week's home defeat to Newcastle United left the north Londoners just five points above the bottom three in the Premier League as Thomas Frank was dismissed, ahead of the huge clash against their arch-rivals and the league leaders.
Tudor's Options Limited vs Arsenal
The 47-year-old would have loved to have a full-strength side to pick from in his first match in charge against title hopefuls, but it won't be the case.
Tudor is particularly light of midfield options, with Bergvall unavailable until April, according to Jones. Tottenham are already missing Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from their potential choices in that area.
Tudor will likely have to pick from Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray, who played at right-back against the Magpies.
Tottenham Could be Missing Seven More in NLD
As well as the aforementioned midfield absentees, Tottenham are also having big issues at either end of the pitch too.
Captain Cristian Romero will serve the second of his four-match suspension against the Gunners and isn't due back until mid-March, while Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie and Kevin Danso are also unavailable for selection.
Tudor will be hoping that Pedro Porro is back to prevent a midfielder having to play at full-back - or wing-back if he chooses to go three at the back - against Arsenal.
Frank said previously that it would be the 'dream' scenario for Porro to return against the Gunners and suggested it was a possibility, with Tudor expected to provide an update on the Spaniard in his pre-match press conference.
Richarlison is the other player close to a return like Porro, although Spurs will be without Wilson Odobert from their frontline after he ruptured the ACL in his left knee.
While Tudor does have international players available to him against Mikel Arteta's men, it is likely to be a repeat of the matchday squad selected against Newcastle which saw four academy graduates on the substitutes' bench alongside new boy Souza.