- Rodrigo Bentancur was knocked out during Monday night’s match
- He required prolonged treatment and oxygen on the field after the head injury
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Ange Postecoglou provided an update on the condition of Rodrigo Bentancur after the Tottenham midfielder was knocked out during Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City.
The incident occurred with just under 20 minutes remaining at the King Power Stadium when Bentancur collided heads with Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu as he attempted a corner kick, sending the ball straight to the ground.
The 27-year-old Bentancur was initially off the pitch, which caused concern among both groups of players. Doctors rushed to help the Uruguayan.
After more than seven minutes of treatment, Bentancur eventually sat up but required oxygen before being carried off on a stretcher. He did not return to action as Postecoglou made a quadruple substitution. After the game, the Australian manager said Bentancur was “up and talking” but clearly still concerned for his player after the sickening head-clatter.
“We have to be very careful,” Postecoglou said. “The good news is he was awake and talking. We’ll let the medical team sort that out.
Rodrigo Bentancur was knocked out after a clash of heads, leaving both players visibly concerned
Bentancur required oxygen on the field and was carried off the field on a stretcher after prolonged treatment
Ange Postecoglou revealed that Bentancur spoke after the match but admitted he has to be ‘very careful’ with the midfielder due to his worrying head injury
“I don’t have a lot of information, but I know he’s awake and communicating, so from that point of view it’s fine.”
“But it’s clearly a head injury and I’m leaving it to the medical team now. The most important thing is that he’s absolutely conscious and communicating.
“If you see a player fall and he has a head injury, we are always careful these days. I don’t know the circumstances, but I know it was a head injury.”
Bentancur has no fond memories of the King Power Stadium. In February 2023, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a league match at the same stadium, which put him out for eight months.
He hopes this will be a less serious setback but it is now a race against time to get back to playing in Spurs’ next league game, at home to Everton, on Saturday afternoon.
The midfielder will have to undergo a series of concussion tests before returning to Postecoglou’s matchday squad, with Tottenham needing a quick recovery between games.
In Bentancur’s absence, Tottenham were unable to score a winning goal and did not start the season with a win over their promoted opponents.
Pedro Porro put the visitors ahead in the first half when he headed in a cross from James Maddison, but Tottenham failed to make the most of their advantage and were pushed back after the break by a close-range goal from Jamie Vardy to earn the Foxes a point.