Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that an injured Spurs star won't be back in action for a 'long time', with the Dane currently minus a few key first-team players.
Tottenham battle Slavia Prague in the Champions League
Spurs welcome Slavia Prague to North London tonight seeking to reignite their automatic Champions League knockout round hopes with a victory that would edge them closer to securing a coveted top-eight finish.
Frank's side need all three points against the struggling Czech outfit to maintain momentum after Saturday's morale-boosting 2-0 win over Brentford ended their miserable six-match winless streak.
The Lilywhites currently sit 16th in the Champions League standings with eight points from five matches, sitting just two points behind the automatic qualification places.
Saturday's Premier League victory will give Spurs more confidence following the chaotic 5-3 defeat to PSG in their previous European outing, with Richarlison and Xavi Simons securing all three points against Frank's former employers last weekend.
Despite their lacklustre home form overall this year, the hosts actually boast a formidable home record in European competition, remaining unbeaten in 22 consecutive European games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs have won both their Champions League home matches this campaign without conceding, defeating Villarreal and FC Copenhagen.
History also favours Frank's side, having never lost to Slavia Prague in four previous European meetings, recording three victories and one draw.
Slavia arrive in desperate circumstances, languishing in 31st with just three points from five matches and facing the genuine prospect of early elimination.
The Czech champions have endured a torrid European campaign, failing to register a single victory while remarkably going four consecutive Champions League fixtures without scoring.
Their attacking struggles represent their most significant weakness, with just two goals across the entire league phase.
Despite domestic dominance — sitting five points clear atop the Czech First League following Friday's 2-1 victory over Teplice — Jindrich Trpisovsky's side have repeatedly failed to translate that form onto the continental stage.
Their 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal highlighted the gulf in quality when facing elite opposition, while goalless draws against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao demonstrated defensive resilience without much threat going forward.
Frank faces several selection concerns heading into the clash, though.
Destiny Udogie is sidelined with a hamstring injury which will keep him out until January, while Randal Kolo Muani is doubtful after limping through Saturday's victory.
Brennan Johnson is also 'touch and go' for the encounter, according to Frank, but one significant positive looked to have emerged from Monday's training session.
James Maddison was spotted working on the grass for the first time since rupturing his ACL during August's pre-season friendly against Newcastle, with Frank providing an update on the Englishman.
Regrettably, while the £170,000-per-week playmaker sparked excitement when he was clocked in training, Frank has confirmed in quotes relayed by The Press Association, that Maddison still won't be back for a 'long time'.
“It's very early stages," Frank told reporters.
"It's still a long-term injury, so it's good to see him out there, but very early stages. There's no specific time frame. It'll be a long time, unfortunately, before he's available."
The 29-year-old, who bagged 22 goals contributions in all competitions last term (12 goals, 11 assists), has been a sore miss for Spurs as they heavily rely on the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Simons for their creativity.
Simons' phenomenal solo run and goal against Brentford will have done the Dutchman a world of good for his confidence following real criticism since his marquee move from Leipzig in the summer.
The pressure is on him to deliver in the ongoing absence of both Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, with Frank also remaining vague about the latter's recovery timeline.
"Yeah, as I said, I will confirm when he's available for the squad," Frank said about Kulusevski.
"It's part of the recovery. There’s a plan for everything.”
After Slavia, Tottenham travel to struggling Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and only a win will do there too.