Ange Postecoglou has revealed several Tottenham stars are now battling an illness ahead of Saturday's clash against Newcastle with eight players already confirmed out through injury and suspension.
Spurs enter this weekend's round of games 11th in the table, 11 points off fourth position. They have won just three of their past 13 games in all competitions with the squad in the middle of an injury crisis that Postecoglou has previously described as the worst of his 28 years in management.
But with the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool coming up on Wednesday night followed by an FA Cup banana skin at non-League Tamworth next weekend, the next few days are shaping up to be a vital period for the Australian.
And while Postecoglou is unsure whether the virus will rule out any more players for the visit of Eddie Howe's in-form side, he confirmed none of his injured players are set to return. "Unfortunately, no," he said on Friday afternoon.
Defenders Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Cristian Romero remain out with Destiny Udogie last weekend joining them after hurting a hamstring against Wolves. The left back is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, plus forwards Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert remain out. And midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will serve a one-match ban having picked up a late yellow card versus Wolves.
"Destiny with his hamstring looks like a six week mark for him missing, we've lost Bentancur, none of the injured ones are back yet. And we've had an illness bug around the squad as well so a few have missed training but we'll be alright.
"At this stage Richy and Mikey Moore are the next two cabs off the rank - hopefully next week at some point. Ben, Micky van de Ven and Romero, back end of January they'll be slated to return."
Postecoglou is hopeful that Tottenham's squad will be bolstered in the January transfer window but says they will not be pressured into making desperate acquisitions.
"It's not a matter of pushing but the club is working hard to get some help for the playing group," he added.
"There's no secret we're aiming to bolster our numbers a little bit. January not an easy month, we understand that. We want to make sure we want to do the best thing for us rather than panic.
"I just want it to be a positive one. It's not about being busy. The situation at the moment is temporary. We'll get players back. We just need to be positive."