Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi delivers injury update before Man Utd clash

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has delivered a fresh update on his squad ahead of Saturday evening’s Premier League match against Manchester United, as reported by the Evening Standard.

Spurs sit bottom of the table after a difficult opening stretch to the campaign and travel to Old Trafford still searching for their first league victory of the season.

Defensive setbacks and long-term absentees

The north London side remain without key full-back Pedro Porro, who traveled to Spain during the international break to visit a specialist following a hamstring issue picked up against Aston Villa.

On-loan winger Mykhailo Mudryk is also sidelined after picking up a training-ground ankle injury shortly after arriving from Chelsea.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi said:

Pedro – I think – not for many games, and for Mudryk, something more.

Spurs are also missing Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, who face prolonged periods on the sidelines after both suffering serious knee injuries last term.

Boost for the Dutch international pair

There was better news regarding central defenders Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, who experienced fitness scares while away on international duty with the Netherlands.

Van de Ven picked up a hand issue during international duty against Serbia, while Van Hecke returned early to England with a foot problem before recovering in time for the trip north.

Addressing the fitness of the two Dutch defenders, De Zerbi said:

They are available to play,” De Zerbi said of the Dutch pair. “Micky played four games, 90 minutes. The difference is this, [Van Hecke’s] wife, [had] two twins, emotional aspect we have to consider, but both are available to play.

The availability of both central defenders offers significant reassurance to a back line that has struggled for consistency during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Maddison available while Kulusevski nears return

Playmaker James Maddison is also in contention to start despite missing a few days of training with a recent hamstring issue.

Speaking about the England international, De Zerbi said:

He is available, but he lost three four days, the end of the last week.

Meanwhile, Swedish attacker Dejan Kulusevski is closing in on a return to competitive action after spending more than 500 days out following a severe knee injury.

Kulusevski featured in an internal 11-versus-11 match at Hotspur Way during the break and could be named in the matchday squad to face Michael Carrick’s side.

Crucial fixture at Old Trafford

Spurs enter the weekend sitting 20th in the standings following an extended three-week pause in club action.

A positive result in Manchester would provide a much-needed boost for De Zerbi’s side as they aim to Kickstart their Premier League campaign.