Roberto De Zerbi confirmed fresh injury concerns for Tottenham summer arrival Savio
Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed an injury concern for Savio as the 22-year-old was forced to miss Tottenham Hotspur's clash with Newcastle United due to muscle fatigue. The Italian confirmed that the Brazilian would be in contention for a return against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
However, there were more key absentees from the squad in north London as Kevin Danso, Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr all missed out. Danso was the subject of speculation over a move to Sunderland after the Black Cats launched a loan approach while Sarr has also faced significant uncertainty over his future.
Richarlison was handed a start in the emphatic Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic in midweek but didn't make the matchday squad with new summer signing Omar Marmoush handed an immediate start.
There were five changes from the team that were beaten by Brentford.
Spurs boss De Zerbi said: "It was bad news yesterday before training in the afternoon because he suffered muscle fatigue and the medical staff obviously didn't want to take a risk and I agree with them.
"It's not the right moment, especially because he didn't work in the last 10 days, for him 20 minutes against Charlton, maybe it was tough to rest for the days after but for the next game I think there are no problems."
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Savio, who arrived from Manchester City this month, scored and assisted in the 5-1 rout over the Addicks. However, it would appear his lack of regular involvement in the North West consigned him to watch on from the stands in Spurs' first home match of this season's Premier League.
There was some positive injury news as Mohammed Kudus made the bench for the first time since being sidelined in January.
De Zerbi's side were looking for a response to last weekend's 3-0 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium at the hands of the Bees.
Former Spurs player and coach Ryan Mason told Sky Sports: "Last weekend was extremely disappointing, the manager has come out and said there's no excuses.
"Going forward we're probably going to see the best of De Zerbi's team in month or two months. In the short-term, you need to find a way to win matches, I'm sure the fans will be up for it and it's an exciting one.
"Getting players in early, the signings that have come in suit that (a De Zerbi team), it's up to him to implement that.
"Another thing that is pleasing is it's players with Premier League experience, they need to adapt to what the manager wants and expects from them and do it as soon as possible."