The latest Spurs injury and team news as new manager Roberto De Zerbi prepares for his first match in charge
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Tottenham Hotspur will enter a crucial period of their 2025/26 Premier League campaign this week, with new manager Roberto De Zerbi and his newly inherited charges set to take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.
The ex-Brighton boss was named Spurs boss at the end of March, following a nightmarish interim spell from Igor Tudor. The ex-Juventus coach lasted a mere seven games after replacing Thomas Frank, winning just one of his matches in charge and plunging the north London outfit even deeper into the relegation battle.
As things stand, the Lilywhites are a mere point clear of the bottom three, with just 30 points accumulated from 31 matches. West Ham - currently below them in 18th - Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are the three other sides jostling to keep their heads above water, with Burnley and Wolves in 19th and 20th respectively most likely already condemned to the icy depths of the Championship.
Ahead of what’s promising to be a fascinating few weeks brimming with agonising twists and turns, Spurs remain in the unfortunate position of missing a number of key players going into the run-in. This is how De Zerbi’s squad is shaping up and the expected return dates of those injured, ahead of their weekend trip to the North East:
Spurs injury news update - goalkeepers and defence
Guglielmo Vicario (hernia): Tottenham’s number one was able to put the international break to good use - he had an operation on a hernia that he had been managing for several months. He is still recovering from the procedure, but could well make his return before the month is up.
The Italy international’s future at the club still remains uncertain, with rumours persisting for some time suggesting that Spurs may look for a new man between the sticks for next season.
Expected return date: April 25th
Ben Davies (ankle): The Spurs stalwart, now in his 12th season at the club, is currently out of action after having surgery on a broken ankle in early 2026.
Since then, there has been little in the way of information regarding his recovery, although he has been spotted at the ground supporting the team during his recovery.
With just seven matches of the season left to play, it now looks likely that he has played his last game for the club, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Expected return date: Unknown
Spurs injury news update - midfield and attack
Dejan Kulusevski (knee): He’s missed the entirety of the season so far, after suffering a serious knee injury in a match against Crystal Palace last May.
Last month, he underwent further surgical work on his existing injury, and was part of the Sweden squad that secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off victories over Ukraine and Poland respectively. His presence was merely for team morale, rather than playing in the fixtures.
Kulusevski has made it clear that he intends to play a key role for his country in the summer international tournament, and claimed his “knee is great now” following the latest surgical procedure.
Expected return date: Unknown - but his comments suggest he could feature before the end of the season
Wilson Odobert (anterior cruciate ligament): Another long-term absentee, Odobert hasn’t kicked a ball for the club since February.
Given the six to nine month expected recovery time for an anterior cruciate ligament tear, Spurs fans certainly won’t be seeing Odobert back in action this season. He’ll be targeting a comeback before the end of 2026.
Expected return date: Late November/December 2026
Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring): The Uruguay international has been sidelined since January, after he was stretchered off the field in a match against Liverpool with a hamstring injury.
Like Kulusevski, he’ll be not only focusing on returning for Spurs, but also on participating in this summer’s World Cup.
As things stand, the 28-year-old will be aiming to feature for Spurs by late April, potentially against Wolves in the final match of the month. Failing that, he could get minutes against Aston Villa in early May.
Expected return date: 25th April
James Maddison (anterior cruciate ligament)
Oh, how Tottenham have missed the creative spark of the England international this season. It has been a long road to recovery for Maddison, who suffered his ACL injury in a pre-season fixture against Newcastle United.
Since then, he’s undergone surgery and is now at the tail end of his recovery period. He was among Spurs’ injured stars who were seen cheering on from the sidelines during the dismal 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest before the international break.
Barring any late setbacks, he’ll be looking to make a comeback next month. His return would be most welcome ahead of the side’s crunch clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in mid-May.
Expected return date: 17th May
Yves Bissouma (muscular problem): Out since the middle of March, Bissouma’s injury is somewhat of a mystery, with the rather vague “problems with muscles” as specific as information regarding his ailment has been.
Expected return date: Unknown
Pape Matar Sarr (shoulder): A bit of a concern, this one. Injured on international duty, the Senegal star has not appeared in any footage from De Zerbi’s early training sessions as Spurs’ new manager.
It’s very much a ‘fingers crossed it’s nothing serious’ one for now, until the Tottenham boss provides a fresh injury update post-international break.
Expected return date: Unknown
Mathys Tel (thigh): He missed out on the international break with France’s U21 side as a precaution, after leaving the field in discomfort during Spurs’ aforementioned loss to Nottingham Forest.
The good news is that the injury doesn’t appear to be too concerning and he’s expected to feature in De Zerbi’s first game in charge against Sunderland. You’d expect Spurs to add further attacking competition for Tel in the squad this summer, with Fiorentina striker Moise Kean said to be among their top targets.
Expected return date: 12th April