Thomas Frank is keen to get Tottenham’s squad up to scratch with just over two weeks before the UEFA Super Cup.
Frank first has to navigate a tricky friendly against bitter rivals Arsenal in Hong Kong on Thursday (31 July) before travelling to South Korea to face Newcastle (3 August).
The Dane is hoping to get more match minutes into his players’ legs, while keeping an eye on the transfer market as he looks to strengthen the squad.
However, it has been a tricky start to the week for the 51-year-old as Tottenham News brings you the latest updates from N17.
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The Lilywhites partook in an open training session in the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong ahead of the first North London derby to be played outside of the UK.
The team performed several drills before being separated into two teams to play a match.
It ended in a goalless draw, taking them into a penalty shootout, where the first three players in Johnson, James Maddison and Pedro Porro all missed before Cristian Romero converted from 12 yards out.
Rodrygo is not tempted by Tottenham
Rodrygo is not interested in moving to Spurs this summer after the North Londoners reported an interest in the Brazil international.
The 24-year-old is thought to be on the market, subject to a suitable bid, as Xabi Alonso does not see the former Santos player as integral to his plans at Real Madrid.
Tottenham are keen to bring in one more versatile forward, especially with Son Heung-min looking set to leave this summer, but are no longer in with a shot to sign Rodrygo.
Kota Takai ruled out for several weeks
Tottenham are suffering an injury pile-up as Kota Takai will be out for “weeks,” according to Frank.
The centre-back’s exact return date is unknown, but the young Japanese defender has damaged a muscle in his foot and did not travel with the rest of the squad to Asia to recover.
He joins long-term absentees in Radu Dragusin, Bryan Gil, and Dejan Kulusevski at Hotspur Way, while Destiny Udogie also stayed after sustaining a knee injury in the warm-up ahead of Tottenham’s friendly against Luton Town last Saturday (26 July).
It is a worrying sign for Frank, who is determined to avoid an injury crisis reminiscent of last season, when Spurs had fewer than 15 senior players to choose from at certain points during the winter.