Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur have announced that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will undergo a hernia operation next week.

Earlier on Friday, Vicario was a notable absentee from Italy's squad ahead of the Azzurri attempting to qualify for the World Cup.

At the time, it was suggested that Vicario would undergo tests on a fitness issue, with the 29-year-old being ruled out of Sunday's Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest.

While that has now been confirmed, Spurs have revealed that the decision has been made for the goalkeeper to undergo surgery during the March international break.

Major injury blow for Spurs

Despite Vicario being far from his best during the 2025-26 campaign, his recent recall has led to Spurs earning a draw at Liverpool and 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Vicario was instantly brought back into the team after Antonin Kinsky produced an error-strewn opening 17 minutes in the first of two matches against Atletico and was substituted.

However, Tudor must now show the Czech stopper his full backing for the mammoth showdown with relegation rivals Forest on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs will head into that fixture holding a one-point lead over the East Midlands outfit and are at risk of entering the March international break sitting in the Premier League relegation zone.

Although Spurs are currently of the opinion that Vicario could return at some point in April, it remains to be seen whether that will be the case at this stage.

How do Vicario, Kinsky compare?

Vicario has made a number of mistakes that have led to goals this season, yet his return of 13 clean sheets from 40 outings in the Premier League and Champions League has gone under the radar.

As far as Kinsky is concerned, his only appearances this season other than his Champions League nightmare have come in the EFL Cup.

He kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers, but featured in a 2-0 reverse to Newcastle United.

In 13 appearances for Spurs across all competitions, he has shipped 22 goals, keeping four shutouts.

The 23-year-old has not made a Premier League appearance since a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on May 16.

Fresh from a first yet inconsequential victory under Igor Tudor, Tottenham Hotspur's quest for a maiden Premier League win of 2026 continues on Sunday, against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

The Lilywhites and the Tricky Trees are separated by just one place and one point in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, and both are at risk of dropping below the dreaded dotted line if things go awry.

Match preview

Mission improbable momentarily became mission possible when Tottenham hosted Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 showdown, buoyed by a well-deserved draw at Premier League champions Liverpool a few days before.

The Europa League winners ultimately fell short of completing a colossal comeback against Diego Simeone's men after their 5-2 first-leg disaster, but a gritty 3-2 success ended the winless rut and instilled further belief into a hitherto hopeless fanbase.

Holding Liverpool and beating Atletico in back-to-back games is no mean feat for any club - let alone a crisis club battling demotion to the second tier - and until 2.15pm on Sunday at least, things are looking a little less bleak for the Lilywhites.

That being said, Spurs remain in a lowly 16th place in the Premier League standings - just one point above the bottom three - owing to their 12-match winless run in the top flight since the turn of the year, their longest in the division since 1935.

The previous three teams who failed to win any of their first 12 Premier League games of a calendar year were all relegated come the end of the campaign - most recently Middlesbrough in 2016-17 - and Tottenham fans will likely not be surprised to learn that their side possess the worst home record of any Premier League team in 2025-26 (10 points from 15 games).

While Tottenham's continental efforts in midweek were in vain, the opposite was true for Vitor Pereira's Nottingham Forest, who did manage to overturn a first-leg deficit - albeit a much narrower one - to progress in the Europa League at FC Midtjylland's expense.

As much as the Tricky Trees had Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates to thank for their crucial goals in their 2-1 second-leg victory, they were also the beneficiaries of the Danish side producing potentially one of the worst penalty shootouts ever witnessed in the professional game - two woodwork hits and one John Terry-esque slip.

A sojourn to Porto will soon await Nottingham Forest in the quarter-finals, but not before Pereira's men continue their quest for safety in the Premier League, where their winless run stands at an unsightly seven matches.

A goalless stalemate with Fulham in gameweek 29 left the Garibaldi only above the relegation zone on goal difference, and also marked the visitors' 14th different Premier League game without scoring this term, second only to Wolverhampton Wanderers' 15.

However, Forest had no problems making the nets bulge in December's 3-0 triumph over Tottenham, who have now lost each of their last three top-flight matches against the Tricky Trees, also going down 2-1 in this exact fixture last term.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Nottingham Forest Premier League form:

Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):

Team News

For the first time in a long time, Tottenham's absentee list has now declined into the single figures, after Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Conor Gallagher, Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie all returned from injury or suspension in the Atletico second leg.

Richarlison is also back from a continental ban, while Dominic Solanke (hip) and Joao Palhinha (head) failed to make the cut on Wednesday but are looking good for returns this weekend.

However, Yves Bissouma (muscle), Ben Davies (ankle), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and James Maddison (knee) remain sidelined.

Previously a peripheral figure under Tudor, Xavi Simons sent a selection message to the manager with a brace against Atletico, and the Dutchman has almost certainly played his way into a start on Sunday too.

On Nottingham Forest's end, winger Dilane Bakwa was unable to complete the full 90 on Thursday due to an unspecified injury, although there are no serious concerns about the 23-year-old's fitness at this stage.

The same cannot be said for Willy Boly (knee), Jair Cunha (ankle), Chris Wood (knee), Nicolo Savona (knee) and John Victor (knee), all of whom are expected to remain out until after the international break.

Pereira's midweek selection was that of a man prioritising the Premier League survival fight, so expect the likes of Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson and Igor Jesus to return to the XI in North London, but Callum Hudson-Odoi's availability is clouded in uncertainty after he was missing from the squad on Thursday.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Gray; Tel, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; McAtee, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Jesus

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Whether Tudor is indeed just papering over the Tottenham cracks remains to be seen, but - whisper it quietly - Spurs finally look more like a football team again.

Forest's midweek fatigue should not play too big a part given Pereira's rotations, but with the hosts' attacking options all cutting the mustard recently, we have faith in the Lilywhites to finally snap their Premier League hoodoo and take a massive step towards survival.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Igor Tudor could welcome three players back to his squad for Sunday's Premier League showdown with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in North London.

The Croatian confirmed no fewer than five injury boosts in his pre-game press conference, including positive updates on long-term absentees James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus, all of whom are edging closer to comebacks.

Meanwhile, Joao Palhinha (head) and Dominic Solanke (hip) are expected to be available for the visit of Vitor Pereira's side, for which Richarlison will also return from a Champions League suspension.

The Brazilian sat out Wednesday's 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid due to accumulated yellow cards, shortly after netting his ninth Premier League goal of the season to rescue a point in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

Richarlison has scored more than double the Premier League goals of any of his Spurs teammates this season - despite only starting 14 top-flight games - and it would not be a surprise to see him start in place of Solanke, who did not train on Friday.

The ex-Everton man should join Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani in the attacking quartet; Simons is surely now in Tudor's good books after his brace against Atletico in the week.

With Richarlison now back in the ranks, Pedro Porro ought to drop into his more recognisable right-back role, as Radu Dragusin drops to the Tottenham bench.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Gray; Tel, Simons, Richarlison; Kolo Muani

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Igor Tudor has revealed no fewer than five injury boosts ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest in North London.

The Lilywhites are back in domestic action buoyed by their first victory under the Croatian, who oversaw a hard-fought 3-2 success over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday evening.

Spurs' success was not enough to overturn a 5-2 deficit from the first leg, but it did extend their unbeaten run to two games after another inspired display in a 1-1 draw with Premier League holders Liverpool at Anfield.

For Atletico, Tottenham were strengthened by the returns of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Lucas Bergvall, Conor Gallagher and Destiny Udogie, although Dominic Solanke was absent with a hip issue.

However, speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Tudor expressed optimism that the striker would be fit to face Forest, saying: "Dom didn't train but probably tomorrow he will train with the team and I think he will be available. He had a hip problem but I think he will be OK."

Tottenham could welcome three players back for Nottingham Forest clash

Solanke is one of three Spurs players who could be back for the visit of Vitor Pereira's side, as Joao Palhinha has completed concussion protocols after his nasty clash of heads with Romero at the Wanda Metropolitano, and Richarlison is back from a Champions League ban.

Further good news arrived in the shape of thigh victims Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur, the former of whom could return for the trip to Sunderland on April 12 after the international break, while Bentancur is also "edging closer".

Meanwhile, long-term knee victim James Maddison - who has not played a single minute of competitive football this term - is on course to return before the curtain closes on the 2025-26 season.

"Yeah, Maddison is already doing some interesting things with the ball and sprinting, he is positive," Tudor replied when asked if Maddison could feature before the end of the campaign.

Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee), Ben Davies (ankle) and Yves Bissouma (muscular) remain sidelined, but Spurs have nevertheless received six slices of good news for the relegation run-in.

Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forest: Why Richarlison return stands out for Spurs

In Kudus, Bentancur, Maddison, Palhinha and Solanke, Tottenham have been blessed with five boosts on the fitness front, but Richarlison's return is arguably the most important.

The Brazilian played no part in Wednesday's win over Atletico due to accumulated Champions League yellow cards, although the Randal Kolo Muani, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel-inspired Lilywhites did not falter in his absence.

Nevertheless, Richarlison has a case to come straight back into the XI after his equaliser at Anfield, which was his ninth Premier League goal of the season so far.

Those nine efforts have come despite Richarlison starting less than half of Tottenham's Premier League games this season - 14 from 30 - and he has netted twice as many top-flight goals than any of his teammates.

Whether he is stationed on the left or leads the line, the South American should be a shoo-in for the XI against Forest if Solanke is spared.

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with a move away in the summer.

The Londoners put in a spirited display at home against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, with the club hoping to overcome a 5-2 deficit in the Champions League.

Spurs won the second leg 3-2 but still exited the competition at the round of 16 stage, leaving the Premier League as the only competition that they are still in.

The club are one point above the relegation zone, and there are fears that demotion could lead to a mass exodus in the summer.

Speaking to reporters after match, centre-back Romero insisted that his only priority was on Tottenham's final Premier League games, saying: "The truth is that I’m focused on the situation we’re in.

"I have a lot of respect and affection for the club and I want to finish the season in the best way possible. We’ll see later but the most important thing now is to recover energy to help Spurs."

The defender has been linked with a move to Atletico in recent weeks, and he did not deny that he could leave in the summer transfer window.

Summer transfer window: Should Tottenham sell Romero?

There is no doubting that Romero has the capacity to play for sides wanting to win silverware given he helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup.

While the defender is talented, he has often lacked discipline at key moments, with the cente-back having recieved two red cards and 10 yellows in the Premier League this season.

There are also serious concerns about his ability to stay fit given he has only once started at least 30 league matches for Tottenham in five seasons, and he can only start a maximum of 28 top-flight games this term.

The 27-year-old is contracted to the Londoners until 2029, so the club will have full control over his future, but they should seriously contemplate his sale if Romero continues to be unreliable.

Micky van de Ven exit: Are Spurs facing a defensive crisis?

Romero is not the only centre-back with an uncertain future considering Micky van de Ven has been consistently linked with a move away.

The Dutchman has also been unreliable from a fitness perspective, but it may be risky to lose both starting centre-backs in one summer.

Nottingham Forest head coach has selected a starting lineup for Thursday's Europa League fixture at FC Midtjylland that makes it clear that the next Premier League fixture is his priority.

Although Forest trail their Danish hosts by a 1-0 scoreline, they also face Tottenham Hotspur in a must-not-lose top flight game on Sunday.

As a result, Pereira has made nine changes and seemingly changed formation for the game at the MCH Arena.

With Zach Abbott, Nikola Milenkovic and Morato the only recognised defenders, there is seemingly the possibility of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

However, Ryan Yates and James McAtee could potentially line up in central midfield if Nicolas Dominguez is used at left-back.

If wing-backs are used, Dilane Bakwa and Omari Hutchinson could be deployed in that role, with Lorenzo Lucca leading the line.

Having been added to the Europa League squad, goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is selected between the sticks.

FC Midtjylland make two changes from Forest first leg

Meanwhile, FC Midtjylland have made two alterations from the team that started the 1-0 victory at the City Ground last week.

Kevin Mbabu misses out through the injury that he sustained during that game, while Aril Simsir has dropped down to the substitutes' bench.

Valdemar Byskov and Dario Osorio are the duo to earn recalls to the first XI.

FC Midtjylland XI: Ofalsson; Erlich, Bech, Diao, Bak, Byskov, Castillo, Bravo, Billing, Osorio, Brumado

Subs: Lossl, Ugboh, Lee, Gabriel, Ze, Cho, Gogorza, Chilufya, Uhre, Emefile, Simsir

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega; Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato; Bakwa, Yates, Dominguez, Hutchinson; Ndoye, McAtee; Lucca

Tottenham Hotspur are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they play host to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Although Spurs were eliminated from the Champions League by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, Igor Tudor already had one eye on this mammoth domestic fixture.

Spurs head into this contest with their 17th-placed opponents sitting just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up their latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with the Tricky Trees, who have one less day to prepare courtesy of their Europa League fixture with FC Midtjylland on Thursday.

Joao Palhinha

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Head

Possible return date: March 22 (vs. Nottingham Forest)

Joao Palhinha has missed the last two matches due to serving concussion protocols after a clash of heads during the first leg against Atletico. However, the midfielder is expected to return to the squad for this fixture.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle/Foot

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Ben Davies was stretchered off with a severe ankle injury against West Ham United in January, and the defender faces another month or so on the sidelines.

Mohammed Kudus

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Mohammed Kudus was forced off in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland on January 4 with a thigh injury, and the problem will keep him out for approximately another month.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Aston Villa)

Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a severe hamstring injury at the beginning of the year, and the midfielder is currently working towards returning at the start of May.

Wilson Odobert

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert ruptured his ACL in the defeat to Newcastle United on February 10, so the attacker will not be involved for the remainder of the campaign.

James Maddison

Status: Out

Type of injury: ACL

Possible return date: Unknown

James Maddison has been sidelined since sustaining an ACL injury in August, and the attacker is working towards being available for the start of pre-season.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a long-term knee injury, and it is unclear when the Sweden international will be available to make his return.

Dominic Solanke

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Hip

Possible return date: March 22 (vs. Nottingham Forest)

Although Dominic Solanke missed out against Atletico Madrid with a hip problem, Tudor has revealed that the forward is likely to be in a position to return against Forest.

Yves Bissouma

Status: Out

Type of injury: Muscle

Possible return date: Unknown

Yves Bissouma is facing another spell on the sidelines with a muscular problem, and it is unclear at this stage when the midfielder could be available again.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S SUSPENSION LIST

Spurs have no players suspended for this match, with Richarlison available again after serving a ban in the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur and their turbulent season has taken yet another twist, with fresh clarity emerging over the future of Igor Tudor just days before a crucial showdown in the Premier League.

After a disastrous start to life in north London, the Croatian’s position looked all but untenable, but recent performances have at least bought him a temporary reprieve.

The ENIC Group have been weighing up their options amid growing unrest both on and off the pitch. While results initially nosedived under Tudor, there are now signs, albeit small, that his methods may be starting to resonate with parts of the squad at a critical stage of the campaign.

Tottenham stance on Igor Tudor future now revealed before Nottingham Forest clash

According to TEAMtalk, Spurs have decided to keep Tudor in charge for this weekend’s crunch match with Nottingham Forest, despite serious concerns following his dreadful start.

The 47-year-old lost his first four matches in charge, prompting internal discussions about potential replacements and even emergency interim options.

However, the mood has shifted slightly after a pair of improved performances this week, including a battling draw at Anfield and a spirited 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in Europe, though that was not enough to overturn a heavy aggregate deficit. However, it appears to have restored a degree of belief within the club.

Those displays have convinced decision-makers to stick, for now, with Tudor. Importantly, though, this is being viewed as a pragmatic call rather than a full endorsement, with Spurs continuing to assess the managerial market behind the scenes.

Will Igor Tudor last the rest of the season at Spurs?

The reality is that Tudor remains under intense pressure. His position is described internally as 'game-to-game,' highlighting just how fragile his grip on the role is despite the recent uptick in performances.

Tottenham are understood to have explored multiple alternatives over recent weeks, including former player Robbie Keane, but a lack of viable short-term options has played a key role in their decision to persist with the current setup.

Many of their preferred long-term candidates are either unavailable or unwilling to step into a relegation scrap mid-season.

That leaves Tudor walking a tightrope. A positive result against Forest could buy him more time, but defeat, especially if it drags Spurs into the bottom three, would almost certainly force the club to accelerate plans for another change.

Spurs are one bad result away from disaster in Premier League relegation battle

There is no escaping the scale of the situation Tottenham find themselves in.

A club of their stature should not be flirting with relegation, yet inconsistent performances, questionable decisions, and managerial instability have dragged them into a genuine crisis.

Even with signs of improvement, the overall picture remains chaotic. Confidence is fragile, the dressing room is not fully convinced, there is a cloud hanging over the interim manager, and the owners continue to face scrutiny for how events have unfolded.

Tudor, ultimately, looks like a short-term fix that has not worked.

One more poor result, especially against a direct relegation rival like Forest, could tip the balance from uncertainty into full-blown disaster.

Tottenham Hotspur have received a major triple injury boost before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Igor Tudor's men will have to pull off a colossal comeback to keep their European adventure alive, having succumbed to a 5-2 first-leg loss to Diego Simeone's side last Tuesday evening.

However, the reigning Europa League champions come into the return fixture with a renewed sense of optimism, having unexpectedly taken a point away from Liverpool in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw.

Spurs held the champions to a stalemate despite missing a total of 13 players through a combination of injury, suspension or illness, but a handful could now return for the visit of Atletico.

Micky van de Ven will firstly make his comeback after sitting out the Liverpool draw through suspension, and his centre-back partner Cristian Romero was also seen in team training on Tuesday.

Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall back in Tottenham training

The Argentina international was involved in a worrying clash of heads with teammate Joao Palhinha in the dying embers of last week's defeat in the Spanish capital, but the Portuguese was only able to work individually.

However, Romero was one of two defenders in team training alongside Destiny Udogie, who has been missing for over a month with the hamstring problem he sustained in February's defeat to Manchester United.

Finally - and most surprisingly - Lucas Bergvall was also involved with the group as the Swedish midfielder closes in on an apparent early comeback from a serious ankle problem.

Bergvall sustained his injury against Borussia Dortmund on January 20 and was initially expected to be out until mid-April, but the Scandinavian lynchpin is seemingly ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.

Tudor will give a firm update on Bergvall, Romero and Udogie in his pre-game press conference, but the Croatian will still be dealing with several selection blows for the second leg.

Which Tottenham players will miss Atletico second leg?

Richarlison was intriguingly not involved in team training on Tuesday, but the Brazilian is suspended for Wednesday's game anyway, having picked up a milestone yellow card in last week's first-leg loss.

In addition, journalist Alasdair Gold reported that there was no sign of Conor Gallagher, who missed the Liverpool stalemate with illness and is also a major doubt for this contest.

Palhinha and Yves Bissouma will ostensibly remain unavailable too, while Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski are all long-term absentees.

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen youngster Francis Onyeka this summer.

Daniel Farke's side shared the points with Crystal Palace at the weekend despite going down to 10 men during the first half.

The Whites did excellently to prevent the Eagles having a shot on target across the entire match even with their numerical advantage.

Nevertheless, Leeds are nowhere near out of the woods in the Premier League relegation scrap with the business end of the campaign left.

There are a number of high-profile clubs in the mix for relegation to the Championship, including West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.

Leeds 'closely monitoring' German youngster

According to SportsBoom, Leeds have highlighted a star youngster from the Bundesliga as a potential summer arrival.

The report claims that the Premier League outfit are closely monitoring the progress of Bayer Leverkusen man Onyeka.

As well as Farke's side, it is understood that Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are also keen on the 18-year-old.

There is supposedly admirers of the attacking midfielder from elsewhere in Germany, with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig named as potential suitors.

Within the recruitment circles of Spurs and Villa, there is supposedly a belief that Onyeka could develop into a world-class box-to-box midfielder.

Onyeka's work experience

Graduating from the academy of Leverkusen in 2024, Onyeka has only made two first-team appearances for the Bundesliga giants.

The teenager is spending the 2025-26 campaign on loan at VfL Bochum in Bundesliga 2, learning his trade in men's football.

Onyeka has stepped up to the senior stage so far, scoring eight goals and providing one assist across 23 second-tier contests.