THOMAS FRANK has been dealt a fresh injury blow at Tottenham with Richarlison ruled out for seven weeks.
The Brazilian striker, 28, came off with a hamstring injury after 31 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round.
Spurs boss Frank, who already has a number of long-term crocks, confirmed his centre-forward is set for a spell on the sidelines in his pre-West Ham press conference on Thursday.
The Dane said: “Richy unfortunately got a hamstring injury which will keep him out for up to seven weeks.”
Richarlison has a history of injury problems during his time at Spurs, whom he joined for Everton for a club-record £60million in 2022.
But up until last weekend, Frank and his coaching staff have managed to have the Samba star playing regularly this term.
Richarlison has played 31 times for Spurs this season, netting eight times.
The former Everton and Watford ace had played the joint most games for Frank’s side this season, with his 31 appearances only matched by Pedro Porro in all competitions.
While he also played four matches for his country, and is hoping to be part of Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad in the summer.
His seven league goals, and eight in all comps, also mark him out as the club’s top scorer this season.
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The time in the medical room means Richarlison is also set to miss the second north London derby of the season, due to be played out on February 22.
Richarlison scored his sides only goal in the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal back in November.
Frank is already without Ghanaian winger Mohammed Kudus until April with a quad injury and Rodrigo Bentancur for three months with a hamstring problem.
James Maddison is out for the majority of the season – if not all of it – with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
While Dejan Kulusevski still looks a way off from returning since undergoing kneecap surgery in May.
Centre-forward Dominic Solanke, 28, has been missing for most of the campaign but did make a return from a long-term ankle problem as a late sub against Villa.
Frank gave updates on Solanke and three other stars nearing returns to action.
He added: “Lucas Bergvall could be available, hopefully be available for Saturday. (Yves) Bissouma is back, so he is available as well.
“Both Destiny (Udogie) and Dom (Dominic Solanke) are close to finishing a good week of training, so they are a bit closer.
“Both will be involved and available (at West Ham) but they are closer to playing even more minutes, so that’s positive. They look good, both of them.”
Yesterday Tottenham announced the signing of Conor Gallagher, adding a much needed body to the Spurs squad amid their injury crisis.
They currently sit 14th in the Premier League, but just six points off the top five.