Ange Postecoglou has stated Tottenham “can not afford any extra accidents” after confirming Micky van de Ven and James Maddison won’t play once more in 2023.
Van de Ven suffered a hamstring damage simply earlier than Maddison limped off with an ankle downside throughout Monday’s 4-1 dwelling defeat to Chelsea.
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Maddison had initially been known as as much as Gareth Southgate’s newest England squad however withdrew on Friday morning because the extent of the issue turned clear.
Talking forward of Saturday’s journey to Wolves, Postecoglou outlined his workforce’s mounting health issues and confirmed Richarlison can even be sidelined following groin surgical procedure.
“Micky has a hamstring damage which we sort of knew was pretty vital,” Postecoglou stated. “Most likely a few months for him, seeking to the New 12 months.
“Madders is lots worse than we thought. Clearly he got here off with the ankle damage however subsequent day he wasn’t nice so we despatched him off for a scan. Once more, not nice for him so in all probability into the New 12 months for him.
“Richy had the operation which we sort of scheduled anyway as a result of he is been battling with it from day one and with the worldwide break developing, we thought it was a very good time to get it finished. He ought to solely be a month if every little thing goes nicely.
“We’re conscious that we will should make some modifications however the guys who are available in have been coaching exhausting and perceive how we wish to play.
“I do know individuals have stated it has been a bonus that we’ve not been in Europe or the cups but when we had been, a few of these guys would have had recreation time. That is the tough bit. From our perspective, we will not afford any extra accidents, we have to be actually cautious in regards to the sort of recreation time we give individuals.”
Reflecting on Van de Ven’s damage, Postecoglou cited the absence of Future Udogie and Cristian Romero, who will each be suspended at Molineux after being despatched off in opposition to Chelsea.
“All of the absences impact the workforce,” he stated. “The weird one for us, we have misplaced three of our again 4. That is the place we get affected greater than anything. Whether it is was simply Micky, it would not disrupt us as a lot however we have to herald three completely different gamers in a again 4 and that is the massive problem for us.”
Ben Davies is on the market once more following an ankle downside as Tottenham look to beat the fallout from their first defeat of the season — a recreation by which there have been 9 VAR checks and 21 added minutes.
Postecoglou believes the prolonged stoppages created by VAR may result in extra accidents in future.
“I’m not going to attract a direct correlation to Micky’s damage however I used to be half-tempted to throw some balls on the market for them to kick round,” he stated.
“It is the explanation we have now warm-ups however should you’re going right into a recreation… The actual fact there was solely 47 minutes of recreation time the opposite night time in no matter it was, 110, that isn’t ultimate for the sort of athletes we have now on the market. It’s a concern.”