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Centre-back set for extended run in Spurs team after Cristian Romero ban

Radu Dragusin is set to start against Newcastle tonight

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Sam Tabuteau

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

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For the first time since September 2024, Radu Dragusin and Micky van de Ven are set to start together at the heart of the Tottenham defence against Newcastle tonight.

The last time that happened was the first game of Spurs’ Europa League triumph, which ended in a comfortable 3-0 win over Qarabag on a night Dragusin was sent off after eight minutes.

Dragusin has spent the last year out with a serious knee injury but Cristian Romero’s red card and Kevin Danso’s toe injury means he is set for a prolonged run back in the side.

Thrust together following Romero’s dismissal at Old Trafford at the weekend, Dragusin and Van de Ven worked well with each other despite the 2-0 defeat.

Dragusin has made four substitute appearances since returning from his knee injury in December

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Spurs dug in and, while they never truly looked like getting another out of the game after going behind, they remained resolute in the face of mounting United pressure, with Dragusin and Van de Ven marshalling a disciplined defensive performance.

There is, however, only so much credit you can give Spurs for their resilience in a game that had escaped them before half-time.

Dragusin and Van de Ven faced up to United’s frontline, attacking crosses, engaging the ball and covering in behind when necessary, but they could face an altogether different challenge tonight.

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It feels like a must-win game against a struggling Newcastle side and, in front of their own fans, Spurs have to get on the front foot and play.

That confidence starts from the back, but Frank says he has no issues about Dragusin playing multiple games in such a short space of time as he works his way back to full fitness.

Dragusin was linked with a January move but he has been given a Spurs lifeline

Action Images via Reuters

“I think he has done great to come back, he has looked good the two games he has played, and he looks strong, and I like that,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference.

Dragusin has made just four appearances this season since returning from injury at the end of December, and the 23-year-old was widely expected to leave the club in January.

But injuries and suspensions have handed the Romanian another chance as Spurs go in search of their first win of 2026 and pull clear of relegation danger.

“I think as a defender, he is very good,” said Frank.

“He is alert. His movement, the way he anticipates the different situations, the way he tries to do the principles, I really like that, and he is really competitive in every aspect.

“He is fine, he is strong, and he is ready to go again.”

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Key clash: Tottenham face Newcastle in the Premier League on Tuesday night

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

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham are in action against Newcastle tonight, desperately trying to prevent a further slide into relegation danger.

Unthinkable at the start of the season, Spurs’ Premier League place is now under threat after a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United extended their miserable run to one win in 10 games. Thomas Frank’s side are now just six points clear of the bottom three, as West Ham’s return to form - sparked by a win over Tottenham - continued at Burnley.

With the north London derby against Arsenal on the horizon, Spurs are in real danger of their winless run in 2026 continuing into March unless they record just their second victory in nine against Newcastle.

Newcastle are in no great form themselves, having lost three on the bounce in the league and are without a win in five across all competitions. Eddie Howe said at the weekend that he would resign if he is unable to turn the tide, but will look at a trip to N17 as a winnable fixture.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs Newcastle is scheduled for a 7.30pm GMT kick-off tonight on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The match will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Where to watch Tottenham vs Newcastle

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 3. Coverage begins at 7pm.

Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ 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 at the ground.

Tottenham vs Newcastle team news

Spurs begin a crucial four-game league run without their captain after Cristian Romero picked up his second red card of the season against Manchester United.

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In his absence, Radu Dragusin is likely to come in, with Joao Palhinha also playing as an auxiliary defender in Thomas Frank’s three-at-the-back formation.

To compound their defensive woes, first-choice left-back Destiny Udogie is set for at least a month on the sidelines after being forced off during the same game with a hamstring injury.

January signing Souza came off the bench at the weekend and impressed in difficult circumstances, but Djed Spence is now fit to return.

Elsewhere, injuries dictate Spurs’ team with Pape Matar Sarr and Conor Gallagher expected to start in midfield, with Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke providing the attacking threat.

Injury blow: Destiny Udogie was forced off as Tottenham lost to Manchester United

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Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Kevin Danso and Richarlison are all still out.

Newcastle have plenty of injury woes of their own, with Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon doubts to return, and Joelinton, Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento all sidelined for the foreseeable.

Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock are likely to make way for summer flips Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga, while Nick Woltemade should come in over Yoane Wissa. Emil Krafth is out.

Tottenham vs Newcastle prediction

A battle between two teams struggling with form, fitness and confidence, and in desperate need of points, this could be a game high on incident but low on quality.

Spurs were not entirely outplayed with 10 men at Old Trafford at the weekend, and were able to create chances against a Manchester United team who remain unconvincing.

Chances will be there for the taking on home soil, but a patched-up defence will also provide their visitors with opportunities.

Draw, 2-2.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Spurs have just one win in eight against Newcastle.

Tottenham wins: 74

Newcastle wins: 65

Draws: 34

Tottenham vs Newcastle match odds

Tottenham to win: 11/5

Newcastle to win: 6/5

Draw: 5/2

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Superstar singers and K-Pop sensations BTS has made history in the UK after announcing their world tour.

The group are set to head to Britain as part of a number of gigs around the globe which will see them travel from America to Europe and Canada.

And now they have made history with their visit to London, selling out the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, setting a new record for the highest seat occupancy ever achieved for a single concert at the venue.

Live Nation UK, the concert’s promoter, made the announcement on its social media channels, saying that BTS’ global fanbase, known as ARMY, had delivered the stadium’s highest-ever attendance rate for a one-off show.

BTS is scheduled to perform at the 62,000-seat stadium on July 6 and 7 later this year, with the total attendance expected to reach more than 120,000 over the two nights.

Both dates sold out completely as BTS announced they will perform in front of a fully immersive 360-degree stage, allowing the audience to view the performance from all directions.

Opened in 2019, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the home ground of Spurs but is no stranger to big namer concerts.

It has previously hosted concerts by Stray Kids, Beyoncé and Travis Scott in recent years, but this is the first time it has completely sold out.

BTS will kick off its upcoming world tour on April 9 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea before traveling to 34 cities worldwide.

The group is also set to release its fifth full-length album, Arirang, on March 20.

They have also broken yet more records, with their topping Spotify’s Global Countdown Chart for three consecutive weeks.

Clash of two underperforming Premier League giants

The 67-year-old pop icon was at the north London ground on Saturday to watch her 13-year-old twins, Stella and Estere, play in a Tottenham Under-14s academy match.

Madonna, who has previously described herself as “a soccer mom”, shared photos of the twins celebrating their win in damp London conditions on Instagram, writing: “I will pay G*D for some sunshine! Go Stella and Estere, Hotspurs win!!! 5-0”.

After Saturday’s victory, she headed back to the stadium on Sunday to watch Tottenham take on Chelsea in the Women's Super League.

Posting a selfie alongside her boyfriend, 29-year-old Akeem Morris, Madonna revealed she had made the journey in what she described as her “second Uber ever”.

She was joined in the stands by Akeem and her daughters, who were dressed in Tottenham merchandise as the home team lost 2-0 to Chelsea.

The Queen of Pop has six children: the twins, who were adopted from Malawi in 2017, her son David Banda, who she adopted in 2006, daughter Mercy James, who she also adopted from Malawi in 2009, Rocco Ritchie, who she shares with ex-husband, filmmaker Guy Ritchie, and her eldest child, daughter Lourdes, from a relationship with actor Carlos Leon.

While her appearance may have raised eyebrows, it is not Madonna’s first brush with football fandom in London.

Jamaican-born Morris is a keen footballer, though he never played professionally. He previously turned out for US-based sides including NY Renegades FC.

Beginning her career in 1979, Madonna saw her career peak in the 1980s with hits such as Holiday, Vogue and Material Girl.

Spurs captain hit with four-game suspension following latest dismissal

Cristian Romero was sent off against Manchester United on Saturday

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Oli Gent

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

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has been hit with a four-game ban after his red card against Manchester United.

Romero was sent off for studs-up tackle on Casemiro as Spurs lost 2-0 at Old Trafford.

According to the Premier League Match Centre, his challenge met the threshold for serious foul play because it was “made with excessive force and endangered an opponent”.

Thomas Frank did not argue with the decision, saying: "The red card is a red card.”

Romero was sent off for studs-up challenge on Casemiro

REUTERS

Romero now has four red cards in the Premier League since he joined Spurs in 2021, the most of any player during this period. He has six Spurs red cards in total.

His latest red card red card cost Spurs and came at the end of a week in which he publicly criticised the club’s hierarchy for their failure to invest in the squad.

The Spurs centre-back had already been sent off before this season against Liverpool in December, meaning he will now miss their next four Premier League matches through suspension.

His absence is a major blow for Frank ahead of some big games at a time when the Spurs head coach remains under pressure.

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Spurs are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle and will now be without one of their most important players for four games.

They face Newcastle in a huge game at the Tottenham hotspur Stadium on Tuesday and Spurs will also be without their captain for the north London derby against Arsenal. Spurs then face Fulham and Crystal Palace in March.

Romero will not feature again until Spurs face Liverpool at Anfield on March 15.

What games Romero will miss after four-game ban confirmed

Tuesday, February 10: Newcastle (H) - Premier League

Sunday, February 22: Arsenal (H) - Premier League

Sunday, March 1: Fulham (A) - Premier League

Thursday, March 5: Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League

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