Football London

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach needs to get his Tottenham players firing again before they fall out of the Premier League

Roberto De Zerbi has been showing his Tottenham players their greatest hits on YouTube to help them save the club's Premier League status.

Spurs have started to improve under the Italian in his first two matches but are yet to win a league game in 2026. The 18th-placed side travel to Molineux on Saturday, a venue they have not won at in the Premier League in just over five years, knowing that they must beat Wolves to keep the pressure on West Ham above.

De Zerbi admits that with just five matches to go and Tottenham's top flight status on the line, it's all about showing the players what they once were.

"My words are not enough and I try to find the best solution to reach every player. Sometimes you arrive with a video, sometimes with words, sometimes with red win, or a beer," said the 46-year-old. "You have to find the balance. The balance between the football and the improvement on the pitch because we play football. But I think the most important part for a player is [the head] and the heart."

He added: "It's what they have done in their career, also in other clubs. If I play with [Randal] Kolo Muani as right winger it’s because he has played in that position. If you go to YouTube, and go to Kolo Muani Eintracht Frankfurt, you can see he played very well in that position and scored a lot of goals.

"When I don’t work in my office, I go to find something important for me to give more information about the players because we have no time and have to consider everything to stay up. I use YouTube or Wyscout to find the best solution for the players, not for me."

De Zerbi believes the key is to stop his stars wallowing in the faults of a season in which they have won just seven times in the Premier League and tap into what they were before and can be again.

"I am used to working in this way and I go to war for my ideas. I am honest and sincere and don’t like to say something when I don’t believe it," he said. "I am sure they are good players. I don’t know what happened in the past with the coaches before I came and I want to show them what they are very good at doing on the pitch, because they have incredible qualities and you have to put the focus on the qualities and not on their faults.

"Their qualities are enough to win the game and stay up. If you speak every day about the faults, the heads of the players stay on that and it’s not good. We have to be positive and remember what we are good at."

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Tottenham's injury problems show no signs of abating and De Zerbi confirmed Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario and Pape Matar Sarr will all miss the trip to Wolves. The Italian is no closer to getting Dejan Kulusevski in action this season and James Maddison is set to be selected on the bench despite De Zerbi saying he is not available due to some minor pain this week after his return from his ACL injury.

"Better if he plays, for sure, but as a leader, he is a positive guy," he explained. "Inside of my dressing room I want nice people, positive people and this is important for his team-mates."

As time drifts away from the season, does De Zerbi wish he had come to Tottenham sooner in order to stop them falling towards danger?

"Bah, I don't know but we can’t go back. Like the Sunderland game [after the Premier League panel admitted Brian Brobbey should have been sent off], we have to think from now until the end of the season. Not before, otherwise we lose energy," he said. "It's very difficult but not impossible.

"Results change things. In Brighton for example when we won 4-1 against Chelsea at home, we changed everything. After that win, we won three or four games in a row. Now I’m thinking Brighton but there are a lot of examples.

"Today is 24th April and we have not won a game in 2026. Do you think the players suffer for this? For sure. To win a game can give us, give them more energy, more confidence, more positivity but they are human."

Kevin Danso has become an important player for De Zerbi, especially after losing captain Cristian Romero to a knee injury for the remainder of the season. Danso was excellent against Brighton on Saturday before being dispossessed in the 95th minute in the lead-up to the visitors' last-gasp equaliser.

After the game, the Austria international was subjected to racist abuse on social media and after condemning that abuse, De Zerbi said it will not affect the centre-back.

"No, no. He has a big personality. Every one of us loves him as a man. He is a lovely guy. He does not have this type of problem. We have not spoken yet but I think he doesn't need my words," said the Italian. "I hugged him at the beginning of the week and we worked hard and we prepared for the next game. Full stop."

One player hoping to get more minutes before the season ends is Mathys Tel with the Frenchman finding himself behind compatriot Kolo Muani in the pecking order. De Zerbi was asked what the 20-year-old needs to do to force his way into his starting line-up.

"Nothing more, because I'm happy with him. He has a great attitude, he has great qualities, he's very young. Kolo Muani has much experience, but we'll go to see in the next game," he said.

"Maybe he can start in the first XI, but I don't like to change too many players, one game, one game. Especially now, we have to find the connection between the players. They have to be able to communicate inside of the pitch."

Roberto De Zerbi has issued new injury updates on four Tottenham players before the Premier League game at Wolves

Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has ruled Destiny Udogie and James Maddison out of playing against Wolves. The latter was back in the squad to face Brighton, and will be again for the trip to Molineux, but has been dealt a small setback while Udogie has suffered a fresh issue.

De Zerbi admitted he is hopeful of having Udogie back for the trip to Aston Villa next weekend with Guglielmo Vicario potentially targeting that game for a return.

Spurs' first-choice goalkeeper is still recovering from hernia surgery he underwent during the March international break. Elsewhere, Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus have been ruled out for the remainder of the season with it unclear if Dejan Kulusevski will be able to feature in any of the five remaining games.

Ben Davies could be back before May concludes but Wilson Odobert is not expected back until late 2026. With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest update on Tottenham's injured players and when they could return.

Destiny Udogie

Udogie has suffered his fifth separate injury of the season and will therefore be absent for Tottenham's next game.

What De Zerbi said: "Destiny has a [muscular] problem. I think he can't play tomorrow, but he played on Saturday and played a great first half, second half as well but the first was great.

"We have [Djed] Spence, Souza is available to come with us. It's not a big problem, I hope Udogie could be back for next week at Villa Park."

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Possible return date: Aston Villa (A) - Sunday, May 3.

James Maddison

De Zerbi has hinted at a Maddison setback to his hopes of playing this season. Though he will remain part of travelling group.

What De Zerbi said: "No he's not available [to play] yet. Especially in this week, he felt pain but not so important pain. Tomorrow he will come on the bench because he's important whether he plays or not. Better he plays but as a leader and a guy, I want to see in my dressing room nice people, positive people."

Possible return date: Leeds (H) - Monday, May 11.

Guglielmo Vicario

Vicario remains unavailable but could be back at Villa Park with De Zerbi hoping to have him in training next week.

What De Zerbi said: "He is not available for tomorrow. I hope he can start with me from Monday. Antonin is playing very well. I hope Vicario can come back in the best physical condition because he's a very important player for us."

Possible return date: Aston Villa (A) - Sunday, May 3.

Pape Matar Sarr

Sarr also missed the Brighton game and will remain unavailable for Wolves due to a shoulder injury.

What De Zerbi said: "Pape felt a pain in his shoulder and didn't train with the group this week. He's not available."

Possible return date: Aston Villa (A) - Sunday, May 3.

Cristian Romero

Tottenham captain Romero could have played his final game for the club against Sunderland due to an injury issue and transfer speculation.

What De Zerbi said: "First of all, Romero loves Tottenham. People have to know he's suffering for this injury, suffering because he can't play for us again this season. He's a great captain for us. We have to be positive."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Mohammed Kudus

Kudus returned to training earlier this month but the club confirmed he suffered a new issue with his season now over.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Ben Davies

Davies underwent surgery back in early 2026 and is on track to play again in this campaign.

Possible return date: Aston Villa (A) - Sunday, May 3.

Dejan Kulusevski

Kulusevski is coming up to being out for a year due to a knee injury and with the games running out this season, it does not look as though he will play any part.

What De Zerbi said: "I am sorry for him because he is one of my perfect players. He is a very specific player for me like Kudus, like Romero but I hope for him he can play in the World Cup because the World Cup for a player is a moment. Is the best period of their career, but I don’t know the situation very well."

Possible return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert

Odobert is out until the latter stages of this year having suffered an ACL injury.

Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said on Friday ahead of the Premier League match at Wolverhampton Wanderers

Roberto De Zerbi had plenty of updates for the media on Friday afternoon ahead of Tottenham's Premier League to Wolves on Saturday.

The Italian has five games to save Spurs from relegation and this weekend he will lead them to Molineux, an unhappy hunting ground for the north London club without a Premier League win there since 2021. De Zerbi's men need to come home with something if they are to put pressure on West Ham who play at the same time on Saturday at home against Everton.

Wolves have already been relegated and all the pressure is now on Tottenham to avoid the same fate. De Zerbi provide updates on Friday afternoon on Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Matar Sarr and the latest on James Maddison and whether he can play a part.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

Is there a problem with Destiny Udogie?

Destiny has a problem. I think he can’t play tomorrow. I’m sorry because he played a great first-half, the second-half as well, but the first one was great (against Brighton). But we have Spence, Souza is available to come with us. It’s not a big problem. I hope Udogie can be available in the next week at Villa Park.

Is James Maddison actually available to play?

He is not available yet, especially in this week. He felt pain but not so important problem. Tomorrow he will come with us on the bench because he is important if he plays or not it doesn’t matter. Better if he plays, for sure, but as a guy, as a leader, he is a positive guy. Inside of my dressing room I want to see nice people, positive people and this is important also for his team-mates.

The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel has said Brian Brobbey should have been sent off in Sunderland’s 1-0 win...

Can we play that game again or not? I think not.

How frustrating is that?

Yeah but it was clear but no problem. We have to move on and to prepare the next game in Wolverhampton is not an easy game for sure. The last three games at home they made a draw with Arsenal 2-2 and they won with Aston Villa and Liverpool. They are alive. It is a tough game because they have nothing to lose. It’s an important game for us for sure but we have to be able to play not too much pressure and my work from now until tomorrow is to prepare the game of my best. To prepare in the best way to play football because this players are very good players. They have important qualities and they play without too many problems in their head.

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Were the substitutes vs Brighton planned?

Well, listen, I thought a lot of time about the Brighton game, but in my plan, Destiny Udogie could finish the game. And then I prefer to play with the good physical condition of the players. For sure, it's important to have five substitutions. We have to prepare a plan before the game, and I usually prepare every game, one plan, two plans, two or three different plans, depending on the result and the physical condition as well. But sometimes it's a normal situation of football, like the problem of Xavi Simons. The last ball Xavi Simons touched made the assist for Archie Gray. It's a problem for me, but for every coach.

What is important in terms of your style in the final five games?

No, I don't want to put too much pressure, but we have to know the situation. We can't forget the table. We can't forget we need a win. We can't forget maybe what we have done until now. Not, maybe. For sure, what we have done until now is not enough. But anyway, if we win in Wolverhampton, it's not finished yet. There are other four games, but I think now we deserve to win a game. Also, with Brighton, I knew before the game with Brighton was one of the best teams in this moment, actually, in this moment in the Premier League.

After the Chelsea (vs Brighton) game, everyone understood, and we played a very good game, and we deserve to win. We were unlucky, but we have to be stronger and to keep playing, to keep going.

What do you make of Rob Edwards, and what sort of game do you expect from Wolves?

Yes, I have big respect for his coaching. I remember very well in Luton because we (Brighton) lost 4-0, and I remember that game as a very bad game. They have good players, especially in the midfield position, but we have our target to reach.

I just want to ask about Kevin Danso. He had such a great game, obviously he had the moment at the end and after that, the horrible racist abuse, have you spoken to him about it? How is he?

I was very annoyed by the racist insults towards Kevin, but he has to be calm. I'm proud for him. He played a fantastic game, not a good game, a fantastic game. It was important for the result, but I don't consider one mistake so important. I consider the attitude, I consider the behaviour on the pitch, the quality in which he played that game, the personality while he played that game. He will be here next season because he's a good guy. He's a very good player and every one of us is lucky to work with him.

What is Destiny's injury? Is it muscular? He's such a young player but he's had a lot of muscle injuries over the years?

It's a muscular injury but not so important. He didn't play for a long time and it can happen at the beginning when you start to feel something of this problem. I have a big opinion about Destiny and he's a crucial player for us. We are lucky because we can play with Djed Spence, another important player. I think he's playing very well this season. Another very good guy and that's it.

Dejan Kulusevksi has spoken about his dream to play at the World Cup this summer, do you think he's going to be back in time for the end of the season for you?

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

Can I just check why Pape Matar Sarr missed the game against Brighton last weekend? Is he now available for tomorrow?

Pape Matar Sarr, the shoulder. He felt pain in his shoulder and this week he didn't work. He has not worked with the group. He's not available to play.

Also, Guglielmo Vicario, is he available tomorrow and if he is, would it be a difficult decision to pick between him and Antonin Kinsky?

No. Vicario is not available for tomorrow and I hope he can start with me next Monday. Antonin is playing very well and from Monday we go to work with him. I hope Vicario can come back in the best physical condition because he's another very important player for us.

Xavi stepped up against Brighton, Porro scored, what other players do you hope to step up at Wolves and in the final games?

Xavi Simons but also Gallagher. I watched the same Gallagher when he played in Chelsea. Dominic Solanke played a great game. Micky van de Ven, I don’t know what was the problem (before), but everyone knows my opinion about him. Pedro Porro scored a goal, but he played an important game. Udogie, Danso, I think maybe can improve in the confidence of not the attitude because he is a good guy and worked a lot especially in the defensive space and Kolo Muani, in the second half, in the second part of the game Mathys Tel, all can play better but not can play better because they are playing bad but because they have a big, big talent and I want to see all this talent on the pitch.

Randal Kolo Muani, what are you hoping to see from him and why are you sticking with him?

“For sure we have to start from one clear point that it is not the best position for him right wing and also for Mathys Tel because Mathys Tel is more of a winger but on the left-hand side. For a winger, from my experience because I was a winger, it is totally different to play on the left and right side. Both can play and I need them in that position because just one player has to play not in their favourite position, but I think it is not a problem about the position of the pitch, but I think the confidence. I think the players can change completely the performance depending on the confidence and if they feel totally confident from the coach, from the environment and from the fans, and I want to help them both to play following their qualities.

Of the things you have worked on with the players, which are you most happy about?

I am very happy. I am very happy to work here because the part of the staff I found when I came is special as a guy, as a professional and the players the same. They are following me and they are good guys. Sometimes when one team is losing too many games the rumours are not nice and behaviour and the people speak about not too much serious players, but no, it is not like this in this case. I found good players, good guys, serious players and they follow me. They believe in my words because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players. We are suffering, they are suffering because it is not easy play in Tottenham in this condition of the table, but I said they have to be stronger and they have to live to win a game. We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win and preparing for a win because I think with a win we can change this part of the season.

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach is speaking to the media at his press conference on Friday ahead of the Premier League match at Wolves

Roberto De Zerbi is speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon ahead of yet another crunch Premier League game for Tottenham as they make the trip to Wolves on Saturday.

The Italian has just five games remaining to save Spurs from the drop and now he must take his team to Molineux, where the club has not won a Premier League game since 2021. Last weekend's more positive yet still ultimately heart-breaking draw with in-form Brighton showed more of what the north London club can be under De Zerbi but they need to come away with something from Wolves if they are to put pressure on West Ham who play at the same time at home against Everton.

Wolves are already relegated after two heavy back-to-back defeats and will have the pressure off their shoulders on Saturday afternoon with Tottenham looking to avoid the same fate. De Zerbi will provide updates on Friday on Destiny Udogie, who looks to be injured, and the latest on James Maddison and whether he can play a part.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to De Zerbi. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at Hotspur Way below.

More on Udogie

I have a big opinion of Destiny and he is a crucial player for us. We are lucky because we can play with Djed Spence, another important player and another very good guy.

De Zerbi on Kulusevski

I am sorry for him because he is one of my perfect players. He is a very specific player for me like Kudus, like Romero but I hope for him he can play in the World Cup because the World Cup for a player is a moment. Is the best period of their career, but I don’t know the situation very well.

The Tottenham boss on Kevin Danso

I was very annoyed by the racist insults towards Kevin, but he has to be calm and I am proud for him. He played a fantastic game. Not a good game but a fantastic game. I don’t consider one mistake. He will be here next season because he is a good guy, a very good player and everyone of us is lucky to work with him.

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Vicario latest

He is not available for tomorrow. I hope he can start with me from Monday. Antonin is playing very well. I hope Vicario can come back in the best physical condition because he's a very important player for us.

The Spurs boss on the KMI panel admitting Brian Brobbey should have been sent off

Can we play again that game?

De Zerbi on Maddison

No he's not available [to play] yet. Especially in this week, he felt pain but not so important pain. Tomorrow he will come on the bench because he's important whether he plays or not. Better he plays but as a leader and a guy, I want to see in my dressing room nice people, positive people.

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De Zerbi on team news

Destiny has a [muscular] problem. I think he can't play tomorrow, but he played on Saturday and played a great first half, second half as well but the first was great. We have Spence, Souza is available to come with us. It's not a big problem, I hope Udogie could be back for next week at Villa Park.

Not long now

Roberto De Zerbi will be with us shortly. Updates to follow!

Xavi can be the star Spurs need

Xavi Simons wants to leave a legacy at Tottenham Hotspur. He has the perfect chance to do so and you can find an article right here about exactly how he's going to do it.

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Spurs have been fined

Tottenham have been fined and warned by UEFA over three incidents and you can find out more about that by reading right here.

Here's the team we reckon he could select

We asked our Tottenham reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to name the team they would like to see face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and you can find the starting XI they both came up with by going right here.

Welcome to Hotspur Way

Roberto De Zerbi will be joining us shortly to discuss the latest goings on at Tottenham Hotspur.

Follow Football London:

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Former Tottenham manager Chris Hughton has spoke about his cancer diagnosis after he underwent surgery last year

Tottenham Hotspur icon Chris Hughton has spoken candidly about his prostate cancer diagnosis, having undergone an operation to remove the disease. The 67-year-old received his cancer diagnosis last year and had successful surgery to have his prostate removed and is now free of cancer.

He is now eager to promote awareness of the condition, having been fortunate to detect it the illness at an early stage.

Hughton said: "The news certainly didn't scare me. I know everyone is different, but my first impression was: 'I'll be fine.' I didn't instantly think 'this is probably just going to kill me'. I just thought: 'Ok, we'll have to do what we have to do.'"

Regular health screenings through the League Managers Association enabled Hughton to identify the early warning signs, having been classified as 'high risk' due to being a black male over 50 with a family history of illness. He subsequently had blood tests to confirm the diagnosis before commencing treatment.

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He added: "I had very good advice and all the treatment options were given to me, and I decided to have my prostate removed. The recovery has gone really well. I'm one year post operation and I feel good. It's all gone very well. I've got a lot of energy.

"Keeping active and busy is part of how I am anyway, but it's also about rehabilitation and keeping your mind active as well. I'm very comfortable with my prognosis and my post operation feelings. I'm in a really good place."

Hughton is a legendary figure at Tottenham Hotspur, having turned out 398 times for the north Londoners throughout his playing days. He has also taken charge of them on three separate occasions in a caretaker capacity.

Hughton's managerial career has included stints at Newcastle United, Norwich City, Birmingham City, Brighton and Nottingham Forest. He guided the Seagulls to top-flight promotion in 2017, and has overseen 169 Premier League matches across his time with Newcastle, Norwich and Brighton.

His most recent position was with the Ghana national team, which concluded in January 2024.

The former defender, who earned 53 caps for the Republic of Ireland during his playing days, was recently touted for a return to former club Tottenham in a managerial role following the disastrous tenure of Igor Tudor.

However, the Lilywhites instead appointed fellow ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who faces the challenge of steering the club clear of the drop during the remaining weeks of the season.

De Zerbi has thus far overseen two games with his first being a defeat to Sunderland and the second a 2-2 draw against his old club Brighton.

Joao Palhinha is approaching the end of his Tottenham loan, however Spurs have an option to sign the Bayern Munich midfielder on a permanent basis this summer

Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has made it clear Tottenham will not discuss the future of loanee Joao Palhinha until they know which division they are playing in next season.

The Portugal international joined Spurs on loan from Bayern last summer but the deal includes an option to make the switch permanent this summer.

Tottenham's buy-option is set around £21.7million but the overall package with add-ons is worth up to £26m.

Reports in Germany have indicated the Europa League winners are open to signing the 30-year-old for a lower fee but Freund is not expecting movement anytime soon due to their counterparts' ongoing fight for Premier League survival.

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He said during a press conference: "The situation at Tottenham is difficult. João is a fighter, he had a great start at Tottenham. The focus is entirely on avoiding relegation; Tottenham know what they have in him. But the situation there is very tense at the moment, so it's difficult to say anything about the future right now."

Palhinha is yet to earn a start under new boss Roberto De Zerbi, who recently recalled experienced midfield duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma to the starting XI against Brighton.

Bayern man Palhinha was a mainstay in the line-up under Thomas Frank earlier in the season and has played in different roles this term having also featuring as a makeshift centre-back.

Earlier in the campaign, it looked a certainty that Tottenham would trigger their permanent transfer option but even if they survive the drop, it's not conclusive that the deal will happen.

Even if Spurs do preserve their top-flight status, the club are expected to oversee wholesale changes to their squad.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is eyeing a return to Italy while veteran defender Ben Davies and central midfielder Bissouma are both out of contract.

Randal Kolo Muani looks destined to return to Paris Saint-Germain following an underwhelming loan spell in north London.

Palhinha's future will also be dictated by whether De Zerbi wants to keep the Portuguese maestro, who turns 31 in July.

The Italian has already claimed he will be at the club whatever happens next season after penning a five-year deal, though he recently told Sky Sports he needs to remain aligned with the Tottenham board following his recent fallout at Marseille.

Tottenham Hotspur make the trip to Molineux to face a rock-bottom Wolves on Saturday at 3pm, as Roberto De Zerbi looks to steer the club from the grips of relegation

Up to 13 players could miss Saturday's clash between Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur through injury and suspension.

Roberto De Zerbi is still looking for his first win since stepping in as Spurs' new head coach last month, having suffered a 1-0 loss to Sunderland on his debut before being held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton last weekend.

The Italian does not have time on his side as he looks to steer the club from the grip of their first-ever relegation from the Premier League since its inception in 1992, with just five games remaining to make a difference.

At present, the Lilywhites sit 18th in the league standings, two points clear of safety. However, De Zerbi will have a number of first-team players absent from this weekend's tough trip to Molineux through injury.

Wolves, meanwhile, have already seen their own relegation for 2026/27 confirmed as a result of Monday night's goalless draw with West Ham. Rob Edwards' side sit rock bottom of the table with just 17 points to show for their efforts.

That's 16 points from safety with just 15 points up for grabs between now and season's end. With nothing left to play for, Wolves will also have a number of injured players to navigate for this weekend's match.

Here, football.london breaks down all of the latest injury news pertaining to both teams...

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Spurs

Cristian Romero will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against Sunderland earlier this month when he collided with Antonin Kinsky. His chances of representing Argentina at this summer's World Cup also hang in the balance as a result.

Mohammed Kudus could also miss the encounter due to a thigh injury. While the Ghanaian was on the road to recovery, he has since suffered a setback.

A club statement on the winger earlier this month read: "He had returned to team training during the past week, however will now require further specialist review and, potentially, surgery. We’re all with you, Mo."

Wilson Odobert remains unavailable for selection as a result of an ACL injury sustained against Newcastle United in February, while Ben Davies may never represent the club again after fracturing his ankle against West Ham earlier this season, given he is out of contract this summer.

Dejan Kulusevski remains a little way away from contention just yet as he continues to recover from a patella injury, having undergone surgery earlier this year. Meanwhile, Guglielmo Vicario could also miss this weekend's game as a result of having recent hernia surgery, although De Zerbi will hope to have him fit enough in time to feature.

Wolves

Jose Sa could miss this weekend's run-out as a result of a shoulder issue, while Sam Johnstone is out for the rest of the season with a problem in the same region. Matt Doherty is touch-and-go after missing the last two matches due to a knock.

Former Tottenham youngster Paul-Jose M'Poku says he always knew one of his team-mates was 'in advance' of the rest

Former Tottenham prospect Paul-Jose M'Poku arrived at the club aged 15 during Gareth Bale's rise to prominence in north London and played alongside Harry Kane. Yet when it comes to the biggest teenage talents he remembers from his time at the club, John Bostock's name stands out.

Bostock signed for the club from Crystal Palace in 2008, just weeks ahead of M'Poku, and the starlet's former colleague says he fully deserved the attention surrounding him. Neither player managed to establish themselves in Spurs' senior squad but both flourished abroad before reconnecting this year in Baller League, the small-sided tournament featuring ex-Premier League pros alongside talented players who never made it at the highest level.

"He was already, let's say, his body and his mind, everything was already in advance compared to most of us. So you will see things that you never see from a young player at this age," M'Poku told Express Sport.

The two players remain close and their journeys followed comparable trajectories. Both joined Spurs for substantial sums as teenagers - Bostock commanded £700,000 following his Crystal Palace debut at 15 while M'Poku also set Spurs back a decent amount after starting out in the Standard Liege academy - and both went on travel the world during their respective careers.

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Bostock featured in five different countries after just a handful of cup outings with Spurs while M'Poku played in nine, most recently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia. The winger - now 34 - is still banging the drum for young players keen to broaden their horizons and recognise the wealth of opportunities beyond the English football pyramid.

"I told him many times you should go abroad and he actually went abroad and he did really well," M'Poku added. "He went to France and he won the best player in Ligue 2 [award] with Lens and he had some great experience in Belgium and everything.

"I really believe more English players should do that, because, sometimes there are so many opportunities and good clubs and good leagues abroad that give young players the chance to play.

"I was speaking with [academy director] Alex Inglethorpe in Liverpool. I was speaking about how, for me, young players need to go abroad because not everyone will make it to the Premier League."

M'Poku arrived in England as a 15-year-old who couldn't speak the language and faced a steep learning curve. However, a year on loan with Leyton Orient alongside fellow Spurs loanees Kane and Tom Carroll made a huge difference for him.

The move represented his first experience of senior football and establishing the groundwork for a career that took him far and wide. He might not have played Premier League football but Serie A and Super Lig minutes demonstrated he had the talent to succeed.

"I was feeling like I was a young man, but living like a pro," he said. "[From] 15 years old, you have gym, you have hard training, they put you in the Premier League atmosphere, but at your age, let's say they're trying to prepare you for what the Premier League is demanding and everything.

"So for me it was a little bit of shock in the first few months. I was so tired, sleeping all the time. My body was not used to it and then I got used to it."

"One of the things that helped me so much was being able to go on loan at Leyton Orient at a young age with Harry Kane and Tom Carroll. It was really good for my development."

Ultimately, that coveted first-team opportunity never materialised at Spurs, although he did feature in a matchday squad for an FA Cup fixture under Harry Redknapp. The presence of Bale and Aaron Lennon proved an insurmountable obstacle on his path to the senior side, and he eventually made his return to Standard Liege.

A distinguished career followed, encompassing 22 senior caps for the Democratic Republic of Congo and in excess of 300 top-flight appearances. Fellow former Spurs academy product Sam Cox persuaded M'Poku to join Baller League, more than a decade after they shared digs in London, and he took the plunge after leaving his most recent club in Saudi Arabia.

"My first impression is good because it's giving hope also to other players that didn't really make it as a professional like me," he said. "For me it's another way to play football and for other people to dream that they can maybe play one day in the Baller League."

He highlights the crowds at the Copper Box Arena where the games are played regularly get into the thousands. This means more people have been in attendance for his Baller League exploits than watched certain top-flight games during his professional career.

He also wants to emphasise that nobody should presume a top-flight career adequately equips them for what he has encountered in Baller League. "I grew up playing in the street and playing futsal and to be honest, it's not the same," he said.

"It's really a new era of football. If you only played futsal, you won't be able to play there. If you only played [11-a-side] football, you won't be able to play there. So it's in between.

"You have to understand quick, you have to think quick, you have to do things in another way. Don't come here and say 'I played in the Prem, it will be easy' or 'I played futsal and it will be easy'. No, no, no, no, no. It's a different game."

We asked our Tottenham reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to name the team they would like to see face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday

Roberto De Zerbi will take charge of his third Tottenham game on Saturday and it must bring his first win at the helm as they travel to Wolves in the Premier League.

Molineux has not been a happy hunting ground for Spurs over recent years. They have not won a league game there since a 1-0 victory back in August 2021 and the last time the north London club overcame Wolves in any location came the following year. With Tottenham in 18th place and two points from safety with just five matches to go, they must bring that poor run to an end this weekend.

We asked our Spurs reporters Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor to select the team that they would like to see De Zerbi pick to face Wanderers on Saturday afternoon. Here's what they came up with.

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham correspondent

Destiny Udogie looks to be out of this game if the information coming from in and round the club is correct and that means De Zerbi will have to choose between Djed Spence and 19-year-old Souza for the spot.

The Brazilian got plenty of experience last season in a relegation fight with Santos but has not played a minute of football in more than a month and was not included in the first two matchday squads under the new boss.

I'd stick with most of the team that performed well against Brighton for large periods on Saturday, including the experienced midfield pairing of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma, together for the first time since the Europa League final in Bilbao 11 months ago.

The only change I might make is bringing in Mathys Tel in place of Randal Kolo Muani. De Zerbi will probably prefer the latter as he is more natural on the right but Tel just has that little bit more hunger and trickery which Tottenham need at Molineux.

Gold's team: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Tel, Gallagher, Xavi; Solanke.

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Ryan Taylor - Sports reporter

Tottenham Hotspur have outlined Fabio Paratici's successor as Johan Lange looks to appoint a co-sporting director

Sebastian Kehl is the leading candidate to join Tottenham Hotspur as their co-sporting director. The North London club are looking for someone to provide support to Johan Lange after Fabio Paratici left the club to join Fiorentina in January.

The Italian, who initially left Spurs in 2023 before returning, worked alongside Lange as the club's joint sporting director but expressed a desire to return to his native country. According to various reports, the Premier League strugglers have held discussions with the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

Kehl left a similar role at the Bundesliga club in March, while The Athletic has reported that no former offer has been made, he is among the leading contenders, but is currently undecided on his next steps.

It has been said that Tottenham's hierarchy want Kehl alongside Lange to rebuild the squad, as their Premier League status hangs in the balance. Spurs sit two points off safety with five matches left.

In a tweet to X, Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg said: "Sebastian Kehl is now the leading candidate for a role as Tottenham’s new director.

"Spurs’ board want him to rebuild the team alongside Johan Lange. Kehl’s career as a top player, his management skills and his extensive international network are highly valued within the club and during the conversations.

"However, a quick decision does not appear imminent. Sources close to Kehl indicate that the former BVB sporting director has not yet decided whether he wants to return to the game immediately or take some time off first."

The 43-year-old departed Signal Iduna Park last month, leaving a club where he made 274 league appearances, as part of a major shake-up following a trophyless season for Dortmund.

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Kehl held the position for nearly five years after he was appointed as the successor to Michael Zorc, a successful football director in Germany, who was in situ when Dortmund won the Bundesliga three times.

The former midfielder is said to have other options and has been the subject of consistent links with a return to a senior position at Bundesliga clubs, namely Hamburg.

Lange is said to have been behind the recruitment process to find his sporting director partner, having worked with Paratici briefly before he left the club.

After the Italian left the club, he said speaking to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera: "The Premier League is as good as the NBA. I’ll just tell you that the head of human resources evaluated 50 resumes for my assistant. Everything there is perfect, and of a superior standard.

"They run more, but above all they run the ball faster. They have to learn to pass better for that, and the training pitches are always mowed and wet. Technique comes naturally that way."

Paratici was banned for 30 months by FIFA after being found guilty of false accounting during his tenure at Juventus. While the Turin club were hit with a 10-point deduction, his appeal against a two-and-a-half-year ban was rejected by Italy's highest sports court.

With the 53-year-old in position at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs made a number of high-profile signings, including Richarlison, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, among others.