Football London

Thomas Frank could be without a few key players when Tottenham Hotspur lock horns with Borussia Dortmund next month

Three Tottenham Hotspur players will be walking on thin ice when they face Slavia Praha in the UEFA Champions League. The Lilywhites will look to pick up from where they left off when they host the Czech outfit in north London on Tuesday night.

Spurs enjoyed a 2-0 victory against Brentford at the weekend, climbing back into the top half of the Premier League. Tottenham were winless in their last five games across all competitions before facing Thomas Frank's former side, drawing two and losing the other three.

Meanwhile, Slavia Praha have been enjoying an excellent vein of form. Jindřich Trpišovský's side won their sixth successive game in the Czech top-flight on Friday night, defeating FK Teplice 2-1 to defend their five-point lead at the top of the table.

The Czech outfit, however, is one of six teams that are yet to taste victory in the Champions League this season. Tottenham will certainly fancy their chances on Tuesday evening, even if a few players are walking on eggshells.

Randal Kolo Muani, Micky van de Ven, and Richarlison have each been cautioned twice during the league phase. If they receive a third yellow card, they'll be suspended for one match by UEFA.

The governing body's rules state: "As from the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.)."

The accumulation of bookings expires upon completion of the quarter-finals, and they're not carried forward to the semi-finals. Frank will want his full squad available to him when the Lilywhites host Borussia Dortmund in January.

The Germain giants have enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, climbing into the top eight of the Champions League table. Dortmund have won three of their five games, with their only defeat coming against Manchester City.

The following week, Tottenham will drop the curtain on the league phase and face Eintracht Frankfurt at the Deutsche Bank Park. Speaking to reporters on Monday afternoon, Frank previewed the Slavia Praha clash.

"It's always good to build on and get the momentum and get more consistent, good performances," said the Dane. "That's a big part of getting into that.

"We really try to build on that tomorrow night and have a good opportunity against a good Slavia Prague team that I’ve studied a lot and they make it difficult. They play a very direct, physical style.

"They have more or less man-to-man over the pitch, so that just makes it different. You can't relax at one stage of the game. When you're a little bit further up the pitch, you also have man-to-man over the pitch, so you're not as used to that bit.

"That can definitely, potentially, make it difficult for us. It's a game where we respect the opponent a lot, but it's about us. It's about us making sure we perform well and continue with the forwardness and directness we had in the offensive play."

Here's every single word Thomas Frank said on Monday ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League match against Slavia Prague

Thomas Frank faced the questions on Monday afternoon at Tottenham's press conference ahead of the Champions League clash with Slavia Prague.

Tottenham welcome Slavia on Tuesday night, with the Czech side looking to bring to an end a 22-game unbeaten home run in Europe for the north London outfit which stretches back half a decade, all the way back to 2020. Frank delivered the latest injury news with Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson not spotted in training, while Randal Kolo Muani had limped out of the stadium on Saturday after pulling up in the second half.

The Spurs boss was also asked about Dejan Kulusevski and spoke about Mathys Tel continuing to be out of the Champions League squad despite Dominic Solanke's absence.

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

What's the latest team news and are you tempted to keep with the same starting XI?

Destiny picked up a hamstring injury in the end of the Newcastle game, so he’s out until January unfortunately. Bren is touch and go.

I liked the performance a lot but we are also playing a lot of games so there will be a bit of rotation, and I think that’s the right thing to do to make sure everyone is coming full of energy and freshness but also keeping a core.

Someone not involved is Yves Bissouma, is there a disciplinary process underway and have you spoken to him?

It’s an internal matter that we are dealing with at the moment and when we have dealt with that, then I will comment on it.

Dejan Kulusevski appears to be somewhere abroad, diving into a cold snowy lake at night, does that mean he's at a stage of his recovery where he can still be in a different environment for his rehab?

You know as I said I will confirm when he is available for the squad, but as part of recovery, there’s a plan for everything.

We saw James Maddison out there earlier and he'll be on the TV later, no doubt talking about it?

He'll definitely be talking.

Can you update us on where he's at and what he was doing?

It is very early stages, still a long term injury. Good to see him out there but very early stages and there is no specific time frame. It will be a long time unfortunately before he is available.

How important is it to sustain the momentum?

Definitely, it’s always good to build and get the momentum to get more consistent and good performances. We really try to build on that tomorrow night. We have a good opportunity against a good Slavia Prague team that we’ve studied a lot and they make it difficult. They play a very direct, physical style, they have more or less man to man all over the pitch.

That just makes it different you can’t relax in one state of the game and when you’re further up the pitch you also have man to man so you’re not as used to that. So that can definitely potentially make it difficult for us. It’s a game where we respect the opponent a lot but it’s about us, to make sure we perform well and continue with the forwardness and directness we had in the offensive play.

Are you still aiming for the top eight in the Champions League?

I am more for me about this next game ahead of us. We have played so many games and this is the next one in the Champions League. It’s a very important one playing at home we have a perfect record so far, can we continue that? Three points tomorrow would be a massive step in the first bit which is to qualify for thee play-off round. And then if and when hopefully we qualify for that, we can look further ahead.

With Antonin Kinsky who came last winter from Slavia, how difficult is it for a young goalkeeper when he's now playing? Is he being considered as a potential number one for Tottenham in future?

To be fair, first and foremost, I think Tony is a very good goalkeeper. I'm very happy with him here at Tottenham and I think he has a great future ahead of him in many ways.

I think it's difficult for any player, no matter if you're young or you're old, you're a goalkeeper or you're an outfield player. If you're not playing, you're not 100 per cent happy. That's unfortunately part of the game.

But when it's like that, just keep training well, head down, do everything you can to improve on the training pitch every day. That's the most important thing.

Did you or the club ever consider bringing Mathys Tel into the Champions League squad given Dominic Solanke is still injured?

Ah of course if I knew back then what I know now I maybe would have changed the decision, no doubt about that. Of course it is something we can have into consideration if you can change one player, what is the timing and when is the other player back? It is also a decision in terms of some of the long-term injuries, when can they be back? And we also need players fit and available so we have enough players to shoot with from the bench.

Would you consider putting Tel in now even if just for the next three games if Dom isn't back until January?

I think it is definitely some consideration we have, with the players we have available to make sure we have the most possible weapons to fire with.

The home form of the Champions League has been very good this season, what do you put that difference down to?

It's a bit of a coincidence sometimes. There could be various reasons. I think for me Champions League, Premier League, Carabao Cup - for me we play at home, we play home. No matter the competition. That's why it's never as good or as bad as we always think and talk about. It's not been perfect and not at the level we want but I think it was a very good step going forward Saturday. I really expect and hope and have a good feeling about tomorrow night. We know it can be very awkward and difficult against Slavia but I have a good belief that we can come out and perform well again.

One of your former coaching colleagues, Lars Friis, was at Sparta Prague, did you try to contact him to get some information about Slavia?

Lars is a good friend of mine. We also worked together in the past. Of course it's confidential what I've spoken to Lars about before the game but we keep in contact. This is a very important game for us against Slavia so we are of course very well prepared with our own analysis but also with every help we can get from good contacts or friends in the game.

Tottenham icon Harry Kane got a namecheck in Mohamed Salah's surprising interview, where he hit out at the Liverpool hierarchy after being benched for a third match in a row

Harry Kane was a surprise inclusion in an interview given by Mohamed Salah, as the Liverpool forward namechecked him as an example to hit back at his club. It came as the Egyptian international was benched for a third game in a row in the Premier League, following some recent struggles.

The Reds haven't found any consistency in the division so far, with Tottenham already looking ahead to their meeting with them next week. Salah won't be involved in that match, as he will be away on international duty for AFCON, but it remains to be seen if he will be around for the reverse fixture in March.

That's due to the 33-year-old hitting out at his current employers, stating that he has been "thrown under the bus" by the hierarchy. There was also a mention of his relationship with Arne Slot breaking down, while he suggested that the clash with Brighton over the weekend could be his last for the club.

The feeling of frustration stems from his recent exclusion from the starting XI, while he feels he has earned his place in the team. The draw with Leeds appeared to be the last straw for Salah, who didn't even get on the pitch in the end, with a question about that frustration leading to a namecheck on Kane.

He said: "Can you answer that? [If he is frustrated that he wasn't brought on] I have been at this club, scoring more than anyone in this generation, since I came to the Premier League. I don’t think anyone has scored more goals and made more assists than me.

"In the whole Premier League. If I am somewhere else, everybody would go to the media and defend the players. I am the only one in this situation.

"Can I give an example? It's silly, but I am sorry. I remember a while ago, Harry Kane was not scoring for ten games, everyone in the media was like ‘Oh, Harry will score for sure', when it comes to Mo, everyone is like ‘he needs to be on the bench’. I am sorry, Harry!"

While it may have been a slight stray shot at Kane, followed up by an apology, it was also an incorrect statement made by Salah. That was proven wrong by Opta, who posted that Kane has never gone six top-flight starts in a row without scoring in his career.

That's not to say there were not some rough points for the former Tottenham striker, who has had his challenges over the years. There have been questions over his mobility and injury record at times, as well as his ability to step up in the most important matches of all.

However, his goal-scoring record is plain for all to see, with 17 being his lowest tally for a full Premier League season in his time at Spurs, and 30 being his highest on two occasions. Now at Bayern Munich, the England captain continues to prove his ability at the top level.

At 32 years old, and just one year younger than Salah, Kane has been bagging plenty of goals in the Bundesliga as well. In his first season, the striker scored 36 goals, while he backed that up with 26 the following campaign.

With 17 goals already to his name in just 13 appearances for Bayern, it seems as though the Tottenham icon is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

The Tottenham players were training on the pitches at Hotspur Way on Monday ahead of their Champions League match against Slavia Prague

Tottenham were training in the rain on Monday afternoon at Hotspur Way ahead of their Champions League match against Slavia Prague.

Spurs got back on track with a 2-0 win against Brentford on Saturday to make it four Premier League victories in 2025 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Now they will be looking to make it back-to-back victories at their home with the game against Slavia Prague on Tuesday night.

Tottenham's European home record is far, far better than their Premier League one as they have gone 22 games without defeat across the different competitions, including 18 wins and four draws with 60 goals scored and 13 conceded.

Thomas Frank and his coaching staff were putting the Spurs players through their paces with some notable absentees and one surprise sighting.

Here are five things we spotted while watching the opening stages of the training session at Hotspur Way on Monday afternoon.

Who was missing?

Destiny Udogie missed the Brentford match with a soft tissue muscle injury and he was not out there training with the team on Monday. Brennan Johnson was also missing from the session. The Wales international looked to be moving uncomfortably before coming off at Newcastle and was an unused substitute against Brentford.

Dominic Solanke was not out among the group and neither was Dejan Kulusevski, who posted a video of himself taking a late night dip in a freezing lake on his Instagram account on Sunday evening. Yves Bissouma remains out with his ankle injury, amid reports claiming that he has been caught on camera inhaling nitrous oxide again.

There was positive news though as while Randal Kolo Muani limped out of the stadium on Saturday after pulling up in the second half, the Frenchman was out training with the team on Monday.

Surprise sighting

Ahead of his appearance on Sky's Monday Night Football, James Maddison could be seen on the grass in the distance with a member of the sports science staff.

He then headed over to the group, tapping a ball along at times as he walked, before making a beeline for Frank and giving the Spurs boss a hug, while saying the odd word to the players.

The midfielder hopes to be back before the end of the season from his ACL injury which he suffered at the beginning of August, but he also stated in a recent YouTube video that he would not risk rushing back too early.

Crazy Romero

The 15 minutes of training that were open to the media mostly consisted of warm-up drills before a few fiercely-contested rondos.

The players were all in high spirits in the aftermath of the weekend's victory and none more so than captain Cristian Romero who was energetically running around in his rondo.

So determined was the skipper to enjoy himself in front of the cameras that at one point he dived on the floor and headed the ball as it rolled across the grass rather than kicking it, ignoring the potential of a boot to the face.

Frustrated Van de Ven

Romero's centre-back partner Micky van de Ven was also a talkative, laughing presence throughout the early stages of the session.

The Dutchman was in the other rondo to his skipper and was the dominant voice in that one. At the end of one keenly-contested sequence of passing, when things took a turn against Van de Ven, the speedy defender showed some mock frustration by booting the ball into the stratosphere and into the distance.

With the coaches uses multi-balls though, he had no chance to rest as the next one was thrown straight back in.

Richarlison wrestled

Pape Matar Sarr was also enjoying himself with plenty of energy and laughs while Radu Dragusin, Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons were all showing various flicks and tricks.

Richarlison, after scoring his fourth goal in six games on Saturday, got a bit carried away at one point in the rondo and flicked the ball up into Kevin Danso's face. The Austrian is one of the strongest players in the squad and duly grabbed the Brazilian and wrestled him to the floor as if he was the weight of a feather. Richarlison likes a complaint but even he was taking this punishment from the big centre-back without moaning.

Thomas Frank and Mohammed Kudus are both speaking at a press conference ahead of Tottenham's clash with Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

While Spurs' 2-0 win against Brentford on Saturday made it four Premier League victories in 2025 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the club's European home record is far better with 22 games without defeat across the different competitions, including 18 wins and four draws with 60 goals scored and 13 conceded.

Now Tottenham will welcome Slavia Prague with the Czech side looking to end that long run which stretches back half a decade, all the way back to 2020.

Frank will deliver the latest injury news with Destiny Udogie missing the Brentford match with a soft tissue muscle injury while Randal Kolo Muani limped out of the stadium on Saturday after pulling up in the second half.

Kudus will speak about his season at Spurs so far with another eye-catching performance at the weekend, while also getting a telling off from captain Cristian Romero and his centre-back partner Micky van de Ven for one bit of second half showboating that ended with a Brentford chance.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to both men. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

Tottenham are preparing for Tuesday’s visit of Slavia Prague in the Champions League

Tottenham have injury concerns over Destiny Udogie and Randal Kolo Muani before Tuesday’s visit of Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

Udogie missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brentford after he sustained a soft tissue injury in the midweek draw at Newcastle.

Paris Saint-Germain loanee Kolo Muani impressed against Brentford but was withdrawn early and was later seen limping as he left the stadium.

Asked how long Udogie will be out for, Spurs boss Thomas Frank said: “Not too long. He got a soft tissue injury, unfortunately, against Newcastle.”

Spurs will already be without long-term absentees James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke and Mathys Tel will be unavailable due to not being included in the club’s Champions League league phase squad.

Tottenham eased the pressure on Frank with a comfortable two-goal win over his former club Brentford where summer recruit Xavi Simons’ sparkled and Archie Gray caught the eye in midfield.

It earned Spurs a first home win in the Premier League since August 16.

“Yeah, that is the standard,” Frank insisted.

“Sometimes there’s more tight games, as we know, but I like what I saw from the team and that’s what we need to build on and try to become even better.”

Micky van de Ven shared his delight after Xavi Simons netted his first Tottenham goal in Spurs' 2-0 Premier League triumph over Brentford on Saturday afternoon

Xavi Simons' first Tottenham goal came as no surprise to Micky van de Ven - because he recently told his compatriot his time would come.

The marquee £51.8million summer signing has endured a frustrating start to life in N17 but he was the toast of Spurs' first Premier League home win since the opening day of season on Saturday when he also assisted against Brentford.

Van de Ven said when asked whether he's had to put an arm around his club and international team-mate: "No, to be honest, he kept training hard. He kept training every day to become a better player, every day over and over again.

"Of course, in the moments where he's a bit down because he didn't start, I'm there for him and I speak with him.

"I said, 'Xavi, trust me, your time will come, don't you worry' and obviously today you saw his qualities."

OPINION

Van de Ven is confident Simons, who had started Spurs' previous four matches on the bench prior to dazzling against the Bees, will now kick on and prove his worth.

The imperious centre-back added: "Obviously he didn't start the last games but I know Xavi has the quality to create things for us. He can be really important for us, I know that.

"For you guys [the media], of course, it's more difficult to see that, but I think he showed it today by himself as well.

"He delivered an unbelievable performance today and was really important for the team."

It's been a productive week for Thomas Frank, whose spirited side also battled back from behind twice to earn a credible point at Newcastle in midweek.

Van de Ven wants Spurs to look back on the past two matches as a turning point in their season ahead of the gruelling festive schedule.

He explained: "It was a good point at Newcastle and an important home win today. You can see in the table that all the teams are really close together. One game you can be fifth, the next you can be 13th.

"I think now we're coming into the months that are going to make the difference in whether you're going to play for the European spots or if you're going to play more down the bottom.

"Tuesday [Slavia Prague] is important for us in the Champions League as well, then it's Nottingham Forest away.

"That will be a really tough game but if we can get three points, as you say, you're looking upwards."

Van de Ven insists the Tottenham dressing room has total faith in Frank, concluding on the Dane: "Of course, when a team is not doing really well, everybody is going to be on the manager.

"He's come into a new club and has had to adapt, Tottenham is different with all respect to Brentford. But we're good with him and the team trusts in him.

"He knows what he wants us to do and we know what he wants. So we just do what we need to do and we back him every day."

As Tottenham Hotspur prepare to face Slavia Praha this coming Tuesday, football.london has a look at the current injury situation within Thomas Frank's side

Everything you need to know about Tottenham Hotspur's injuries and return dates

Destiny Udogie. Injury: unknown. Timeframe: unknown. Destiny Udogie was one of five changes from the 2-2 away draw with Newcastle United made by Frank before Spurs’ 2-0 victory over Brentford. When asked about the Italian’s absence, he said: "Destiny got an injury, unfortunately."

James Maddison. Injury: knee. Timeframe: unknown. James Maddison is yet to feature for Tottenham this season after his ACL injury in the summer. When asked by FourFourTwo when he’ll be back, he admitted: “I don’t know yet. I’ve just been working hard every day – head down, grit my teeth and get through it. I can’t wait to get back fit – I’m so hungry, I’m working so hard."

Radu Dragusin. Injury: knee. Timeframe: Two weeks. Dragusin is yet to make a single appearance for the club this season. Frank revealed Dragusin is training but not yet ready to return. The Dane said: "Radu will not be able to start yet - he’s progressing, training, that’s the latest.”

Dominic Solanke. Injury: ankle. Timeframe: Unknown. Having undergone “minor ankle surgery” at the end of September, Frank was still guarded on when Solanke will return. The Dane said: "When they are ready to really be close to being involved in the squad, then I will give more information.”

Dejan Kulusevski. Injury: knee. Timeframe: Unknown. Kulusevski is still recovering from his knee injury at the end of last season. Frank’s answer for Kulusevski was the same as his one for Solanke, when asked if the Swede will be coming back to the squad any time soon.

Yves Bissouma. Injury: Ankle. Timeframe: Unknown. Bissouma is still side-lined after undergoing ankle surgery at the end of October. He picked up his injury while on international duty with Mali in the October international break.

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The FA Cup third round draw will see Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and all other Premier League clubs added to the competition

The FA Cup third round draw is always a huge event in the English football calendar, with Premier League and Championship teams joining the competition. The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs will be added to the draw while Crystal Palace begin their defence of the famous trophy.

The third round will feature 64 teams, with the top two divisions joining the 20 second round victors. The FA Cup draw will include at least two sixth-tier clubs due to a pair of all-non-league matches this weekend.

Most clubs in the third round draw will be hoping to draw big names, as high-profile games can significantly boost a team's finances. Here are all the details about the FA Cup third round draw.

Third round draw start time

The FA Cup third round draw is set to take place on Monday, December 8, at around 6.40pm UK time. The draw will be conducted by Peter Crouch and Joe Cole before the kick-off between Brackley Town and Burton Albion, the final match of the second round.

How to watch FA Cup third round draw

The third round draw will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. It will also be available to stream live on the discovery+ app.

Supporters without a TNT Sports subscription can tune into the draw via the TNT Sports YouTube channel. All third round matches are set to kick off on the weekend starting Saturday, January 10.

Ball numbers

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur will be salivating at the sight of the chaos that is unfolding at Anfield

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur will be watching on from the sidelines as Liverpool officials sweat over the future of Mohamed Salah. The Reds legend singled out Arne Slot after the Premier League champions squandered a two-goal lead against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Salah, who was left on the bench for a third successive match, was forced to watch from the sidelines as Liverpool dropped more points in the race for European football. The Merseyside outfit have now won only two of their last 10 games in the English top-flight, slumping to eighth in the table.

After the game, Salah dropped an explosive interview in the mixed zone. The Egypt international claimed his relationship with Slot has broken down and questioned whether he'd still be at the club after the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

"I have done so much for this club, everybody can see that during the years and especially last season," said Salah. "Sitting on the bench, I don’t know why, it seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it.

"I think it’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. The club promised me in the summer for a lot of promises and nothing. So far, I’m on the bench three games.

"So I can’t say that they keep the promise. I said that many times before, I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why. It seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.

“But again, this club I always support it, my kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I will always do. I called my mum yesterday, you guys didn’t know if I was going to stop or not but I knew."

Salah added: "I called my mum and I told her to come to the Brighton game, it doesn’t matter if I play or not, I’m going to enjoy it. We’ll see what’s going to happen.

"But in my head I’m going to enjoy that game, if I play or not, if I’m on the bench or not, because I don’t know what’s going to happen now.

"I’m just going to be in Anfield, say goodbye to the fans, go to the Africa Cup (of Nations) because I don’t know what’s going to happen when I’m there."

Salah also took aim at Jamie Carragher and name-dropped Harry Kane. The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham will be salivating at the sight of the chaos that is unfolding at Anfield.

The Egyptian's interview could be the beginning of the end for Liverpool in their quest for European football, let alone their defence of the Premier League title. Mikel Arteta, Enzo Maresca, and Thomas Frank are essentially in a win-win scenario.

If Salah leaves in the January transfer window, the Reds will lose one of the best players in recent English top-flight history, and Slot will be left with a broken dressing room. Others may look to follow the Egyptian out the door, pulling the rug from beneath any hope of finishing in the top four.

If Salah stays, Slot will suddenly face an uncertain future at Liverpool. The Dutchman would lose any remaining authority or respect he has earned from the players, and any decision – big or small – will be called into question.

Regardless of what happens, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham can leverage the feud at Anfield in the transfer market. Overnight, the Reds have become a far less attractive club for players that are looking to make the next step in their careers.

While Liverpool are in disarray, the three London giants will be determined to champion their exciting projects...