Relegation-threatened Spurs dealt double blow as Roberto De Zerbi desperately seeks first win
Sam Tabuteau
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
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Tottenham will be without both Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario for today’s must-win clash with Wolves in the Premier League.
Left-back Udogie, who only recently returned from a hamstring issue, has picked up a new muscle injury.
First-choice goalkeeper Vicario, meanwhile, has missed Spurs’ last two games after undergoing hernia surgery during the March international break.
Udogie has struggled for fitness throughout his time at Spurs so far, and has already missed 12 games this season with two separate hamstring injuries.
The Italian has started both of De Zerbi’s first two games in charge, but will now miss out against Wolves, with Djed Spence likely to deputise in his absence.
“Destiny has a problem. I think he can't play tomorrow,” the Spurs head coach confirmed on Friday.
“I'm sorry because he played a great first half [against Brighton]. The second half as well, but the first one was great.
Ruled out: Destiny Udogie will play no part for Tottenham against Wolves
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“But we have Spence, Souza is available to come with us, it's not a big problem. I hope Destiny can be available next week in Villa Park.”
De Zerbi said he expected to have Vicario back in training at the start of this week, but the player will not travel to Molineux. It is hoped now that he can resume training at the start of next week.
“No, Vicario is not available for tomorrow,” De Zerbi said on Friday. “I hope I can work with him from Monday.”
James Maddison was named in a matchday squad for the first time this season as Spurs were held to a last-gasp 2-2 draw at home by Brighton last weekend.
The Englishman notably did not warm up with the other substitutes at half-time, though, and headed straight down the tunnel before the full-time whistle as Spurs conceded a 95th-minute equaliser from Georginio Rutter.
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Maddison was back out on the pitch to console his team-mates after the game, but with De Zerbi noting that he was keen not to push the 29-year-old too hard after more than eight months out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, he added that while he will travel with the squad, he will not play any part against Wolves.
“No, he's not available yet, especially this week, he felt pain, but it's not such an important problem,” De Zerbi said of Maddison.
“Tomorrow, he'll come with us on the bench because it's important if he plays or not. It doesn't matter, it's better if he plays for sure, but also as a guy, as a leader, as a positive guy.
“Inside my dressing room I want to see nice people, positive people, and it's important also for his team-mates.”
Leadership role: James Maddison will travel to Molineux with Spurs but won’t play
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Pape Matar Sarr missed out against Brighton, and De Zerbi confirmed he would also be unavailable for selection against Wolves as he continues to battle with a shoulder injury first picked up during the international break.
Xavi Simons, who scored and assisted on a frustrating afternoon against Brighton, is expected to be fit despite being seen hobbling through the mixed zone at full-time.
The Dutch midfielder, who was visibly struggling with cramp towards the end of the Brighton game, will surely reprise his role in the starting lineup after an impressive display last weekend.
Rodrigo Bentancur is also likely to start for the second successive game following his return from a hamstring injury.
The Uruguayan provided energy and dynamism to Spurs’ midfield against Brighton, and De Zerbi is likely to opt for the same combination for the trip to Wolves.
Spurs are in desperate need of three points as they look to move out of the relegation zone following a winless start to De Zerbi’s reign.
Two points from safety with five games to play, Spurs have not won a league game since December 28.
De Zerbi, though, maintains confidence in his side and believes Spurs can win all their remaining matches as they look to avoid dropping into the second division for the first time since 1977.
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Simons; Solanke
Doubt: Maddison
Injured: Davies, Kulusevski, Odobert, Kudus, Romero, Udogie, Vicario, Sarr
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday April 25, 2026
Venue: Molineux, Wolverhampton
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