Spurs’ injury woes are slowly starting to abate
On the mend: Lucas Bergvall picked up a new injury at the weekend, though Dominic Solanke and Radu Dragusin are closing in on returns
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Arthur Ferridge
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Tottenham fell to a frustrating 1-0 derby defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, and their evening got off to a dreadful start.
Thomas Frank gave Lucas Bergvall the nod in midfield, but, after taking a ball to the face, was withdrawn with less than ten minutes on the clock.
While Spurs never quite recovered from that early setback, it was not an entirely negative evening. There was a slight silver lining as Guglielmo Vicario impressed on his return to the starting XI, and the likes of Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie also made comebacks from injury.
With two more matches remaining before the November international break, here is all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates..
Lucas Bergvall
Lucas Bergvall started against Chelsea but came off with less than ten minutes played after taking a ball to the face.
He begged Frank and the club medical staff to let him continue, but, in line with concussion protocols, he was forced off, to be replaced by Xavi Simons.
Frank said: "There was a concussion. He couldn't stay on and I think the medical team did a good job in that instance."
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Concussion recovery protocols stipulate that Bergvall must now recover for a minimum of 12 days, meaning he will not be eligible to return to the pitch until after the November international break.
Potential return date: November 23 vs Arsenal (A)
Lucas Bergvall underwent concussion testing on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
AFP via Getty Images
Archie Gray
Archie Gray missed the Chelsea defeat with a calf injury sustained in training ahead of last week’s trip to Newcastle.
Already a fringe player, the injury is an unwelcome setback for the youngster, who has found minutes hard to come by since Frank’s arrival.
No timeline has yet been confirmed for his return, though he is expected to spend at least a month on the sidelines as he recovers.
Potential return date: December
Dominic Solanke
Dominic Solanke is yet to start a match under Frank after he picked up a niggling ankle injury in pre-season.
He underwent minor surgery after struggling to shake the injury off, and Frank has confirmed he is recovering well.
Speaking ahead of a derby meeting with Chelsea, though, he could not put an exact date on his return to the pitch.
"Very aware that we want him back,” said Frank. “Hopefully touch wood have him back and no setbacks.
“We are very aware of doing it the right way. So it's going in the right direction. He'll not be available before the international break - that's the status now."
Potential return date: Late November/Early December
Radu Dragusin
Radu Dragusin’s extended absence from the pitch could soon come to an end.
The Romanian centre-back suffered an ACL injury during a Europa League match in January, but Frank is optimistic he could be back in contention after the November international break.
Frank confirmed that he has returned to full team training and is progressing well as he looks to build back to match fitness.
Back on the grass: Radu Dragusin
John Walton/PA Wire
The Dane said: "He's fully integrated into training now. Because an ACL is such a... it's not tricky but it's such a big injury, because you're out for nine months so you need to build strength in the knee and so on.
"Then because we don't train that much, the big area stuff is not that much so we need to give him some of the bigger area stuff. But he is definitely getting closer to being involved."
He could make his long-awaited return in a north London derby immediately after the international break.
Potential return date: November 23 vs Arsenal (A)
Kota Takai
Kota Takai is yet to appear for Spurs since signing from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer, but is finally nearing a return.
Speaking ahead of facing Chelsea, Frank delivered this update on his fitness: “Quad. He is about to be training soon.”
Potential return date: November/December
Ben Davies
Ben Davies’ only playing time this season has come on international duty, but his most recent appearance for Wales, which came in a 4-2 loss to Belgium, saw him withdrawn early with a hamstring injury.
Speaking after Davies returned to Hotspur Way, Frank said his recovery period would “probably be around four or five weeks.”
Potential return date: Late November
On the mend: Ben Davies
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Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma has not played for Spurs yet this season after he was left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup for disciplinary reasons.
He was then struck down with an injury, finally returning to the pitch for Mali during the October international break, but was injured again moments after his introduction and stretchered off.
He has since undergone surgery and finds himself back on the comeback trail.
Frank said of his recovery: “Biss, unfortunately, had a situation with the national team, I think everyone saw that, so he got a ligament injury to his ankle that will keep him out for weeks."
Potential return date: Unknown
Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski has been absent for several months after undergoing surgery on his patella following the Europa League final.
Frank is optimistic that he will be back on the pitch before the new year, but admitted last week that he is yet to return to outdoor training.
Speaking ahead of hosting Chelsea, he said: "Still not on the grass. Working very hard to get him fit as quick as possible."
Potential return date: December
James Maddison
It remains unclear whether James Maddison will be able to make a competitive appearance for Tottenham this season after he suffered an ACL injury in pre-season.
Potential return date: Summer 2026
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