Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has a picked up an injury in training and will miss the game against Nottingham Forest on Friday.
This comes as a big setback for the player. who finally managed to get a chance to impress the manager in the absence of James Maddison and was doing really well.
He started against Aston Villa and Manchester City and was exceptional and even scored back to back goals.
But despite his good form, he was dropped to the bench against Newcastle for Dejan Kulusevski who played as a 10 in that game.
The midfielder’s injury poses a challenge for Postecoglou, adding to Spurs’ midfield woes with James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur already sidelined.
Addressing the media before the game, Postecoglou confirmed Lo Celso’s absence, expressing uncertainty about the nature of the injury.
He said (via Football London):
“The only one that’s new this week is Gio [Lo Celso].”
“Unfortunately he got a bit of a niggle at training, I don’t know what it is, but he missed training today so he’s not available tomorrow. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”
With Lo Celso sidelined, Kulusevski is expected to resume his role as the attacking midfielder, supported by Brennan Johnson and Heung-min Son on the flanks.
Richarlison, following his brace against Newcastle, is expected to lead the frontline once again.
As Spurs enter a packed schedule, they’ll be eager for Lo Celso’s quick return to full fitness.