Ange Postecoglou reveals fresh double injury blow for Tottenham, with Pape Matar Sarr dealing with an ‘issue’ and Ashley Phillips out for up to a month ahead of Sunday’s clash against Aston Villa
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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has revealed that midfielder Pape Matar Sarr could miss Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Spurs are already without James Maddison and Micky van de Ven until 2024 due to injury, while Cristian Romero is serving a suspension after being sent off against Chelsea earlier this month.
Sarr has now emerged as a doubt and did not train on Friday, while young defender Ashley Phillips has been ruled out for a month after taking a knock during the international break.
“We had a few problems during the international break,” Postecoglou said.
“Phillips suffered an ankle injury and was out for a while, maybe a month. I contact Sarr, who has a problem. See how he is tomorrow, he didn’t train today.’
Pape Matar Sarr did not train today and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s match
Ashley Phillips (pictured) has also been ruled out for a month after suffering a blow
Ange Postecoglou hopes his side can bounce back from back-to-back losses before the international break
Sarr and Phillips’ setbacks are bad news for Tottenham as they look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats before the international break.
Postecoglou’s side topped the table in the opening weeks of the season, with the Australian winning three consecutive Manager of the Month awards in August, September and October.
But their losses to Chelsea and Wolves have seen them drop to fourth place.
If Sarr is unable to play, it could give Oliver Skipp a chance to impress after falling down the pecking order in recent weeks.
Postecoglou was pleased with Skipp’s efforts in training and backed him to take on the challenge when given a rare start.
Oliver Skipp could get a rare chance to impress if Sarr is ruled out on Sunday
‘Skippy has worked hard in training. He stayed with us and did a lot of good work in recent weeks. He works hard and waits for his chance,” Postecoglou added.
Rodrigo Bentancur is also pushing for a start following his return from a long-term knee injury, and Postecoglou believes the Uruguayan can fill multiple roles for the team in midfield.
“I think he can play in a number of different areas. He can play as number six or further forward as number eight,” Postecoglou said.
Asked whether Bentancur would be better suited to play a little deeper as he recovers from a long break, Postecoglou replied: ‘Potentially. That’s probably why Marcelo [Bielsa] probably used him that way for Uruguay. He did very well and he can play there.”