London Evening Standard

Roberto De Zerbi has said Dominic Solanke will be absent for Tottenham’s trip to Aston Villa this Sunday.

The 28-year-old went down off the ball and received treatment on the pitch before being replaced by Richarlison in the 40th minute.

Reports this week then suggested that Solanke had suffered a grade 2 hamstring injury and would miss the remainder of the season.

Asked for an update on Solanke’s fitness, De Zerbi said: “I don’t know yet (if he is out for the rest of the season). Villa no.”

Guglielmo Vicario is still not available after missing the last three games following hernia surgery.

De Zerbi had said he expected Vicario to be back in training at the start of this week but he confirmed some bad about the Italian shot-stopper.

“He is not available,” said the Spurs head coach.

Destiny Udogie also missed the win over Wolves with a muscular injury, but will be fit as Spurs travel to Champions League-chasing Villa.

“Udogie can be available,” De Zerbi added. “I dont know beginning of the game or the second-half.”

Spurs’ injury woes have only increased since De Zerbi took charge, with the club confirming that Xavi Simons had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Wolves.

Simons, who was stretchered off the pitch at Molineux following a coming together with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno, will now miss the remainder of the season as well as this summer’s World Cup.

Deputy goalkeeper had a nightmare Champions League debut

Oli Gent

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Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky has reflected on his glaring errors against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, believing that he is “stronger” for it.

The Czech goalkeeper was called upon in a surprise selection by then manager Igor Tudor, who dropped first-choice shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario to the bench for the big last 16 first leg at the Estadio Metropolitano.

Spurs found themselves 4-0 down inside 22 minutes in the Spanish capital, and Kinsky was at fault for two of the four goals.

He misplaced a pass while trying to play out for Atleti’s opener as Marcos Llorente punished him inside six minutes, and he then produced an airshot while trying to clear the ball from the onrushing Julian Alvarez, who capitalised to net the hosts’ third of the evening.

It led to Tudor hauling Kinsky off after just 16 minutes, replacing him with Vicario in a stunning first-half substitution.

"It was a moment, [my] debut in the Champions League, that I was dreaming of as a young boy,” Kinsky told Sky Sports.

“For me, this was the thing that I was going for. I was looking forward to it so much.

"Of course, after the game, I was sad that it happened but on the other hand, I was calm.

"I have good people around me who always give me good feedback, what they really think about it and they are honest with me.

“I spoke to them a lot, I listened to them, then I compared it to my feelings and they were similar.

“It was just to keep going and make sure that when the next opportunity comes, I will be ready again."

Subbed: Antonin Kinsky

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The Czech, who has been new boss Roberto De Zerbi’s No1 with Vicario nursing an injury, joined Spurs from Slavia Prague in January 2025.

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“I would say I'm stronger by that one experience,” Kinsky continued on that night in Madrid.

"It's not like before I would feel weak, now I feel stronger because I [had that experience].

“You make it because you are strong already and it makes you just stronger and it helps you just to grow.

"There are always so many things to improve, so it just shows you the things that you can get better at or mentally to adjust a little bit the approach towards the game."

Kinsky underlined his importance to Spurs with a fine save to deny Joao Gomes in the 98th minute at Molineux last weekend, as De Zerbi secured a first win of his tenure.

The three points gave the north London club a lift in their bid to stay in the Premier League, although West Ham’s late victory to beat Everton meant that Spurs remained in the bottom three with four games to play.

They are two points adrift of their London rivals, and Spurs take on Aston Villa on Sunday as their relegation run-in intensifies.

"It was more the weight of the moment,” Kinsky said of his stoppage-time save.

“Everyone knows it's important, especially at the last minute because then you don't have time to add another one.

“It's very precious. If we didn’t bring three points from there, of course, it would be much more difficult now.

"We are not closer [to safety] but at least we didn't get further [away].”

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Roberto De Zerbi dealing with more huge selection blows as Spurs desperately fight against relegation

Sam Tabuteau

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Roberto De Zerbi has been left to sweat over the fitness of Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Aston Villa this weekend.

Spurs travel to Villa Park on Sunday evening sitting in 18th place in the Premier League table and still two points from safety with just four games left to play this season.

Tottenham secured their first league win of the calendar year last weekend by beating bottom-of-the-table Wolves 1-0 at Molineux, but time is running out for them to turn things around after rivals West Ham also defeated Everton.

Spurs’ victory against Wolves was overshadowed by injuries in each half to Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke.

Simons had to be stretchered off after colliding with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno in the 61st minute, while Solanke was substituted before half-time.

Simons has been ruled out for the remainder of the season as well as this summer’s World Cup after Spurs confirmed the Dutch midfielder had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

Meanwhile, reports have since surfaced suggesting that Solanke is also set to miss the remaining four games of the season with a grade 2 hamstring injury.

Major blow: Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke could miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury

PA

Richarlison took Solanke’s place at Molineux, and the Brazilian is expected to start against Villa, with De Zerbi saying he was unsure how many games Solanke would miss.

De Zerbi is contending with a mounting injury list and will hope that he can call upon Udogie and Vicario against Villa.

Vicario has been out since undergoing hernia surgery during the March international break, while Udogie was absent against Wolves with a muscle injury.

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It is unclear how long Udogie will be out, but De Zerbi insisted it was “not a big problem” when asked about the left-back’s fitness last week.

De Zerbi also confirmed that he expected Vicario to return to training early this week. Pape Matar Sarr will also be assessed, having missed the last two games with a shoulder injury.

Rumours suggesting that Randal Kolo Muani has suffered a hamstring injury are believed to be inaccurate, and the French forward is expected to bolster De Zerbi’s attacking options on Sunday.

Without Simons, De Zerbi has a decision to make about who replaces him.

He could opt to risk James Maddison, who has been named on the bench in the last two games, but has not played a competitive game in nearly a year.

Alternatively, Mathys Tel could be handed a rare start on the left wing, or Lucas Bergvall could reprise his role as the No10 in De Zerbi’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Should Udogie be unavailable for selection, then Djed Spence is expected to keep his place at left-back, while Antonin Kinsky will continue in goal if Vicario is deemed unfit.

Spurs could find themselves five points adrift of safety by the time they kick off against Villa, if West Ham beat Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Kolo Muani, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison

Doubts: Maddison, Udogie, Vicario, Sarr

Injured: Davies, Kulusevski, Odobert, Kudus, Romero, Simons, Solanke

Time and date: 7pm BST on Sunday May 3, 2026

Venue: Villa Park

How to watch: TNT Sports

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James Maddison has not kicked a ball in anger in almost a year - is rushing him back a risk worth taking?

Sam Tabuteau

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Roberto De Zerbi is quickly learning to save his breath.

No sooner had the Tottenham manager declared his belief that Spurs would stay in the Premier League than news of Xavi Simons’ anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury was confirmed.

In a season in which optimism has been in such short supply, there was a crushing inevitability to the news that the “heartbroken” Simons would miss the rest of the season, as well as this summer’s World Cup, and many months thereafter.

The Dutch midfielder had just started to position himself as a central figure in De Zerbi’s blueprint for survival.

Not even a first league win in 118 days gave Spurs some respite, with West Ham’s stoppage-time winner ensuring they remain two points from safety with just four games to go.

Xavi Simons suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Wolves

PA

De Zerbi, like Igor Tudor, Thomas Frank and Ange Postecoglou before him, is finding out the hard way that keeping Spurs’ brittle squad fit is nine-tenths of the job.

Simons is the third player, after Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus, to suffer a season-ending injury since De Zerbi took charge a month ago. While there are fears that Dominic Solanke could miss the remaining four games with a hamstring injury. Rumours surrounding an injury to Randal Kolo Muani have been denied.

There is a wider conversation to be had about the decision-making processes at a club that has overhauled its medical department for the last two summers running, yet has seen more ACL injuries (3) than home wins (2) in the Premier League this season.

However, time is of the essence for De Zerbi and Spurs, so the Italian is not willing to reflect on the existential issues facing the club just yet and will instead look for solutions to the loss of Simons as he tries to build on the momentum of last weekend’s win over Wolves.

Simons, who has started just 19 of Spurs’ 34 league games this season, has struggled to get going since his £52million move from Red Bull Leipzig last summer. Yet his absence will be felt - no Spurs player has provided more assists in all competitions than the 23-year-old.

Spurs have been desperately short of creative inspiration this season, ranking joint 20th for through balls completed and 17th for expected goals for among Premier League teams.

The failed recruitment strategy of technical director Johan Lange, which has prioritised young players with impressive physical output data over more technically proficient players, has left Spurs with a squad devoid of creativity.

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The failures of the club, both from a recruitment and a medical standpoint, have now put De Zerbi in an uncompromising position as he weighs up whether to rush James Maddison back to fitness to try to save Spurs’ season.

Maddison has been out since August with an ACL injury and has not played a single minute of competitive football in nearly a year.

However, the sight of the English midfielder on the bench in Spurs’ last two games has raised the possibility of him playing again before the end of the season.

De Zerbi is apprehensive. He says he does not want to push Maddison in the same way the club did with Kudus before the Ghanaian suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious quad injury.

Push, though, may very well come to shove, now De Zerbi knows he cannot rely on Simons to provide the creative spark Spurs need heading into the four biggest games in the club’s history.

Maddison was included on the bench against Wolves last weekend, but definitively unavailable. De Zerbi’s restraint will now be put to the test ahead of Sunday’s trip to Champions League-chasing Aston Villa.

Spurs are in a perilous position. So, in mulling over whether to throw Maddison headfirst into a relegation battle, De Zerbi is trying to strike the right balance between risk and responsibility.

He has options outside of Maddison. Lucas Bergvall, one of the players signed by Lange for his physical rather than technical capabilities, could come in as the No10, or Mathys Tel could be handed a rare starting berth on the left wing.

James Maddison applauds Spurs fans ahead of kick-off at Wolves

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Neither option, though, is particularly compelling compared to the promise of what Maddison could deliver. Dangerous from free-kicks, corner kicks and in open-play, his quick feet help him carve out shooting positions, while he has the timing and awareness to create chances for himself and others.

In any other season, De Zerbi would not think twice about letting Maddison ease his way back to fitness.

But these are troubling times for Spurs, and there is no doubt that the former Leicester man would relish the chance to be a hero for the club he has endeared himself to with his generous personality and talismanic performances.

In his first address to supporters, De Zerbi said he wanted the club to remember who they were again. A gentle nod to the daring spirit of players like Glenn Hoddle and Paul Gascoigne.

Now, there is no denying that Maddison would enjoy the responsibility of trying to emulate such players in a bid to keep Spurs in the Premier League.

But De Zerbi, himself a No10 in his playing days, will know that careers are short and he is ultimately responsible for his players’ welfare.

To dare is to do, but at what cost for De Zerbi, Spurs and Maddison?

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Another chance for Spurs to climb out of the relegation zone

Arthur Ferridge

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham this week face another challenging test in their fight to stay in the Premier League with a trip to Aston Villa.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side remain in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety, but could clamber out of the bottom three with victory at Villa Park.

Last weekend’s narrow defeat of Wolves, which ended a 15-match winless run, was not enough to quell relegation fears but De Zerbi will hope to at least build some momentum ahead of the run-in.

Villa, meanwhile, are at the business end of the Europa League, with this match coming between the two legs of their semi-final against Nottingham Forest. They are also within touching distance of a top-five finish in the Premier League.

The Villans fell to a surprise defeat at Craven Cottage last time out - their first league loss since March - but still sit fifth in the table and could finish the weekend as high as third, pending results elsewhere.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Aston Villa vs Tottenham is scheduled for a 7pm BST kick-off on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

The match will take place at Villa Park in Birmingham.

Where to watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 6pm BST ahead of a 7pm kick-off.

Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the HBO Max app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau.

Aston Villa vs Tottenham team news

Tottenham have not had a full complement at their disposal at any point of this campaign, and that fact will not change in Birmingham.

Xavi Simons is the latest man sidelined with an ACL rupture, and he joins Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus in being out until the end of the campaign.

Xavi Simons ruptured his ACL in the win over Wolves

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Dominic Solanke is a doubt with a muscular injury, while Roberto De Zerbi is optimistic Destiny Udogie can feature.

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Pape Matar Sarr is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury, while Guglielmo Vicario is yet to return to training after undergoing hernia surgery.

James Maddison has been named to a couple of matchday squads this season after recovering from an ACL surgery, but is not yet thought to be match fit. Dejan Kulusevski remains out with a long-term knee injury, with Wilson Odobert and Ben Davies completing the sidelined contingent.

Villa, meanwhile, may look to rest key players in this match ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg.

Three players will certainly play no part, though, with Alysson, Amadou Onana, and Boubacar Kamara all ruled out with injuries.

Aston Villa vs Tottenham prediction

Tottenham’s laborious win over Wolves at the weekend will have done little to inspire supporters.

De Zerbi’s men flattered to deceive against the already-relegated Midlanders, and will face much stiffer opposition here.

Villa, of course, will be tired from their first-leg against Forest and thinking primarily of the second, but should have no great issues dispatching the north London club.

Aston Villa to win, 2-0.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

The Villans have won each of their last four matches against Tottenham by an aggregate score of 8-3.

Aston Villa wins: 62

Tottenham wins: 78

Draws: 34

Aston Villa vs Tottenham match odds

Aston Villa to win: 1/1

Tottenham to win: 15/8

Draw: 2/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Sport | Football

Three ways Tottenham should line up after Xavi Simons injury to fix major problem

Another creative force has been struck down, leaving Roberto De Zerbi with a problem to solve

Sam Tabuteau

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Roberto De Zerbi is being forced to go back to the drawing board after Xavi Simons was ruled out for months with a serious knee injury.

The 23-year-old becomes the latest Spurs player to suffer a season-ending injury, after Mohammed Kudus and Cristian Romero, and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

Simons, who will also miss this summer’s World Cup, had positioned himself as a key part of De Zerbi’s side, having scored and assisted during Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Brighton.

His injury comes as another massive blow for De Zerbi in his attempts to keep Spurs in the Premier League.

With four games to go, Spurs are two points from safety after West Ham secured a stoppage-time victory at home to Everton.

Here, Standard Sport looked at three ways Spurs could line up without Simons…

Mathys Tel

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Tel finally gets his chance

Mathys Tel has continued to find himself out of favour since De Zerbi took over from former interim manager Igor Tudor.

The 21-year-old has yet to start under the Italian after also struggling for minutes under Tudor and Thomas Frank.

De Zerbi admitted before last weekend’s win over Wolves that there was no more Tel could do to stake a claim for minutes.

But with Simons out for the remainder of the season, the Frenchman could be given the opportunity to impress after a series of productive cameos off the bench.

It was Tel’s intensity that forced the corner from which Joao Palhinha scored against Wolves, and his directness adds a different dimension for Spurs.

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De Zerbi remains a fan of Tel, having tried to sign him when he was Marseille manager, and hinted that he could be given more minutes as he looks for answers to Simons’ injury.

Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison

Lucas Bergvall has only recently returned from injury

PA

Bergvall comes back into the side

In De Zerbi’s first game in charge, a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, he opted to play Lucas Bergvall in the No10 role with Richarlison out wide on the left.

It was a decision that did not pay off, as Spurs lacked any authority in the centre of the park and struggled to create chances in the final third.

Now, though, with Simons out, De Zerbi may be minded to go give the young Swede another chance, having insisted he is not keen to make drastic selection decisions between now and the end of the season.

While Bergvall often struggles to dictate play, he remains an excellent presser of the ball, as he showed in turning over possession for Simons’ goal against Brighton.

De Zerbi could feasibly bring both Bergvall and Tel into his starting line-up, with Richarlison potentially spearheading the attack in place of Dominic Solanke, who came off injured against Wolves.

Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur; Kolo Muani, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison

James Maddison has made the bench in the last two games

PA

De Zerbi takes a risk on Maddison

De Zerbi has said that he does not want to push James Maddison too hard on his return from injury.

The Englishman, who suffered an ACL injury last August, has been named on the bench in each of Spurs’ last two games, but has yet to play a single minute.

With games running out for Spurs to save themselves, though, De Zerbi could take a risk by handing Maddison his first minutes in more than eight months.

Maddison is a potentially game-changing talent when fit. But as De Zerbi found out when Mohammed Kudus suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious quad injury, he has to be careful not to force players back.

Capable of playing off the left and drifting centrally or starting from the No10 position, Maddison is a versatile option who would solve Spurs’ creative issues.

The question is whether De Zerbi feels he is ready to come into a relegation battle.

Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Maddison; Richarlison

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Tottenham have confirmed that midfielder Xavi Simons has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season and the upcoming summer World Cup.

The midfielder took to social media on Sunday night to confirm that he would miss Spurs’ remaining four games of the season as well as the World Cup.

In a post on his official Instagram account, Simons said he was “heartbroken” and admitted “it’ll take time to find peace” after becoming the latest Spurs player to suffer a long-term injury this season.

“They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way,” Simons said. “My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense.

“All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me … along with the World Cup. Representing my country this summer … just gone. It’ll take time to find peace with this, but I’ll continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight.”

Spurs subsequently confirmed on Monday morning, in a post to their official X account, that Simons had suffered an ACL injury in a major blow to Roberto De Zerbi’s plans to keep the club in the Premier League.

Simons is the third serious injury suffered in the Spurs squad following De Zerbi’s appointment just three weeks ago, with Mohammed Kudus suffering a setback and then Cristian Romero picking up a knee injury of his own.

Significant fears for attacking duo after Wolves win

Dominic Solanke, Xavi Simons and Destiny Udogie

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Tottenham have lost Xavi Simons to a serious knee injury, and are sweating over the fitness of Dominic Solanke after Saturday’s huge win over Wolves.

Both incidents happened off the ball, with Solanke pulling up with a muscle injury and then Simons appearing to twist his knee in the turf.

The injuries marred an otherwise huge three points secure at Molineux, which kept Spurs’ survival hopes alive.

There are also concerns over Destiny Udogie and Pape Matar Sarr ahead of Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa.

With that in mind, here is all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates...

Xavi Simons

PA

Xavi Simons

Xavi Simons suffered a very serious knee injury during Saturday’s vital win over Wolves.

The Dutch star appeared to jar his knee in the turf when trying to regain his balance, and promptly collapsed to the pitch in agony.

A lengthy spell of treatment followed pitchside before Simons tried and failed to walk, and was then stretchered off the pitch.

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Simons has now confirmed that his season is over, along with his World Cup in devastating news for player, club and country.

“They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it,” Simons wrote on Instagram.

“Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense. All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me, along with the World Cup.”

Simons is expected to be sidelined for a lengthy period, potentially not returning before the end of 2026.

Potential return date: Unknown

Dominic Solanke

A blow for Spurs and Solanke during the first half at Wolves as the striker pulled up while challenging for the ball.

It looked innocuous at the time, but Solanke reached for a knee and required treatment on the pitch before being replaced by Richarlison.

Asked for an update after the game, Roberto De Zerbi said: “Solanke has suffered a muscular injury ... it's not a big problem, I don't know how many games will lose him.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Ruled out: Destiny Udogie will play no part for Tottenham against Wolves

Getty

Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie has picked up a new muscle injury.

The left-back, who only recently returned from a hamstring issue has struggled for fitness throughout his time at Spurs so far.

In an injury-hit campaign, Udogie has now missed 13 games this season with two separate hamstring injuries.

Udogie started both of De Zerbi’s first two games in charge, and hopes to return against Aston Villa.

“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.

“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.”

Potential return date: Aston Villa (a) on May 3, 2026

Pape Matar Sarr

Pape Matar Sarr remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.

The midfielder picked up the issue during the international break, but was able to return against Sunderland to play around half an hour.

However, the issue remains troublesome and ruled him out of the draw with Brighton and trip to Wolves.

“He felt pain in the shoulder and this week he didn't work with the group,” De Zerbi confirmed.

It remains to be seen when Sarr will return.

Potential return date: Unknown

Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero is out for the season after suffering a serious knee injury against Sunderland last weekend.

He collided with Antonin Kinsky following a push from Brian Brobbey, and was forced off, with De Zerbi later confirming he would not return this campaign and is in a race to be fit for the World Cup.

“I don’t know if there is a chance to play one game, two games, I don’t know. I hope so. But I don’t know,” De Zerbi said on Friday afternoon.

“But for him, I would like it if he can be available to play in the World Cup, especially for an Argentinian player. They feel the national team more than Italian players or other nations.”

As rumours claiming Romero may leave the club this summer gather pace, there is every chance he has already played his last match in a Tottenham shirt.

It has since been ruled that Brobbey should have been sent off for the challenge.

Potential return date: August 2026

Mohammed Kudus is out for the season

Getty

Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus, who has been out since January, will not play again for Spurs this season after suffering an injury setback.

Spurs confirmed in a statement at the start of April that they were assessing whether the Ghana international would need to undergo surgery.

But when pressed on whether the club had made a decision, Roberto De Zerbi said he had yet to speak to the doctors.

“I don’t know [if Kudus will require surgery],” he told reporters last week. “Not spoken with the doctor about the Kudus situation.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Guglielmo Vicario

Tottenham hope to welcome goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario back to training this week after hernia surgery.

The procedure was timed so as to disrupt the Italian’s campaign as little as possible, but he has now missed three Premier League matches.

De Zerbi has described him as an ‘important character’ and will hope to welcome him back into contention next week’s trip to Aston Villa.

Antonin Kinsky has been starting between the sticks in his absence.

Potential return date: Aston Villa (a) on May 3, 2026

Dejan Kulusevski hopes to be fit in time for the World Cup despite not playing a minute of competitive football this season

Getty Images

Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski is still aiming to be fit to play for Sweden at the World Cup.

Kulusevski has not played for Tottenham since undergoing surgery on a patella injury in May 2025, and last underwent further surgery on his knee in February this year.

He is yet to return to training, and Roberto De Zerbi hopes the play is soon able to get back on the pitch for club or country.

"I'm sorry for him because he was one of my perfect players. He's a very specific player for me, like Kudus, like Romero,” De Zerbi said in his pre-match press conference on Friday..

“I hope he can play in the World Cup because the World Cup for a player is a moment. It's the best period of his career. But I don't know the situation very well."

Potential return date: June 2026

James Maddison

James Maddison has now featured in back-to-back matchday squad without getting on the pitch.

De Zerbi confirmed ahead of the trip to Wolves that the midfielder is still not ready to play, as his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury continues, but will continue to be named on the bench to has a boost for his team-mates.

"He felt pain [last week], but it's not such an important problem,” the Spurs head coach said of Maddison.

“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.

Potential return date: May 2026

Wilson Odobert

Potential return date: Autumn 2026

Ben Davies

Ben Davies broke his ankle during the January defeat to West Ham.

As he is out of contract in the summer, it is likely he has played his final game for the club.

Potential return date: Unknown

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Joao Palhinha scored an 82nd-minute winner as Tottenham secured their first league win of the calendar year with a 1-0 win away to Wolves.

Spurs laboured for large periods at Molineux before stealing the lead with just under 10 minutes to play as Palhinha stabbed home following a corner.

West Ham’s stoppage-time victory at home to Everton ensures Spurs stay in the relegation zone, but they will take great hope from getting over the line to secure a priceless three points.

Did not have much to do as Tottenham dominated possession, with Wolves dropping deep in the first-half. Came off his line sharply to deny Armstrong following a mix-up between Van de Ven and Danso. Then made a match-winning save to keep out a late Wolves free-kick.

A mix-up between him and Van de Ven nearly gifted Wolves the lead in the second-half. Struggled to inject tempo into Spurs’ game with his passing. Recovered well after a difficult week.

Had a lot of success against Brighton when taking the ball on the front foot and driving forward, but lacked that aggressiveness even as Spurs dominated possession against Wolves. Marshalled the defence well as Spurs held on amidst some late Wolves pressure.

Coming in for the injured Destiny Udogie, he made some encouraging runs down the left flank but was unable to really influence the game with the ball at his feet. A solid performance from the Englishman.

On the end of a heavy tackle from Andre at the end of the first-half, he was composed under pressure and was eager to turn the ball over and get Spurs playing forward. Replaced by Joao Palhinha just past the hour mark.

Provided some calm and balance at the base of midfield without really getting on the ball and drifting forward as he typically likes to. Struggled for the same control after the break, picking up a booking for a foul on Mane. Forced an excellent save from Sa with a header from a corner.

De Zerbi admitted pre-match that Kolo Muani’s best position was not on the right wing, and while he made a promising start, the French forward drifted badly as Spurs became lax in possession. Replaced at half-time after another frustrating performance.

Could not get into the game and was guilty of giving away a number of cheap fouls. Replaced in the 38th minute after going down off the ball, clutching his leg.

The Dutchman’s season looks at risk of being over after he was stretchered off just past the hour mark with what looks like a serious knee injury. Had struggled to stamp his mark on the game before that.

Fired over wildly at the start of the second-half before coming agonisingly close to reaching Porro’s cross. Scrapped away well as his blocked shot fell kindly for Palhinha to score.

Injected some energy and incisiveness early in the second-half. His intensity forced the corner from which Spurs took the lead.

Has come up with some huge late goals this season, two of which have come against Wolves. Reacted superbly to stab home the loose ball and give Spurs a priceless late lead.

Late show saves Spurs to keep pace with West Ham but injury marrs huge win

Winning moment: Joao Palhinha celebrates a huge goal

Nick Potts/PA Wire

George Sessions

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Joao Palhinha’s 82nd-minute tap-in earned Tottenham a first Premier League win of 2026 with a 1-0 victory at Wolves but they remain in the relegation zone.

Spurs looked set for a painful afternoon at Molineux after Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons were forced off due to injury until Roberto De Zerbi watched Palhinha slide in at the back post from a scuffed Richarlison shot to secure a first league success in 16 matches.

It momentarily took Tottenham out of the bottom three, but a late winner for West Ham has kept the gap to two points with only four games left.

Wolves’ relegation was confirmed on Monday night and a Spurs team desperate not to join them started strongly before Solanke had half-hearted penalty appeals waved away after a slight push by Hugo Bueno.

Randal Kolo Muani was preferred again by De Zerbi despite one league goal all season, but fired well wide in the 12th minute after a mistake by Andre.

Pedro Porro sent an effort wayward soon after which halted Tottenham’s momentum and Wolves forced two corners in quick succession to lift the Molineux crowd.

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Solanke blocked a volley by Rodrigo Gomes’ soon after and it sparked the visitors back into life, with Xavi Simons firing wide after good work by Rodrigo Bentancur.

However, the north London club’s injury curse struck again with eight minutes of a drab first half left when Solanke went down and held the back of his left leg.

Solanke was forced off and Yves Bissouma looked set to endure the same fate when he was caught by a strong tackle from Andre, but was able to start the second half.

The same could not be said for Kolo Muani, who was hooked by De Zerbi, and the Italian should have watched Spurs go ahead in the 51st minute.

Porro brilliantly spread play out wide to Xavi, who cut inside but Matt Doherty got back enough to force the Tottenham attacker to blaze over from eight yards.

Minutes later and Xavi was the next away player to suffer an injury at Molineux after a collision with Hugo Bueno.

Xavi immediately dropped to the floor and even though he returned to his feet, he collapsed after a run down the touchline off the pitch and a stretcher was subsequently required.

With West Ham ahead at home to Everton, Spurs were now four points from safety and Antonin Kinsky had to be alert to beat Adam Armstrong to a loose ball before the visitors found a second wind.

A snapshot by Tel was deflected wide and Porro’s resulting corner found Rodrigo Bentancur, but Jose Sa made a flying save with 21 minutes left.

Armstrong headed over next for Wolves and then, as Tottenham’s away support tried to rally their team, the breakthrough followed in the 82nd minute.

Tel won a corner after he chased down a lost cause and Porro’s delivery dropped for Richarlison, who watched his scuffed effort turned in by Palhinha at the back post.

Palhinha charged off into the Spurs fans and news soon filtered through that Everton had equalised at West Ham.

Tottenham were briefly set to go out of the bottom three but celebrations by Wolves fans signalled a late winner at London Stadium and De Zerbi was indebted to Kinsky for a stunning one-handed save from a Joao Gomes free-kick in stoppage time to secure a much-needed three points.

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