Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi is weighing up whether an injured Spurs player could return in time for their away clash against Sunderland this weekend.
De Zerbi faces immediate selection concerns as he prepares for his first game in charge on Sunday at the Stadium of Light, with pressure already building. Spurs could even slip into the relegation zone before kickoff if West Ham United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday. The Italian has had just over a week to assess a squad that hasn’t won a league match since December.
Injuries have left the team thin, with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Wilson Odobert all ruled out for the rest of the season. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also undergone hernia surgery, meaning Antonín Kinský is set to start his first game since facing Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
There is, however, some positive news. Midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is expected to recover in time after pulling out of international duty with Senegal, giving the squad a much-needed boost.
Another potential returnee is Mathys Tel, who could pass a late fitness test and even start on the right wing. The 20-year-old has shown promise despite modest stats this season and had been improving before picking up a thigh injury against Nottingham Forest. If he’s not fit, Randal Kolo Muani is likely to step in.
Meanwhile, Xavi Simons is expected to play in his preferred No.10 role, while De Zerbi could deploy a 4-2-3-1 system with Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall in midfield.
Regardless of who starts, Spurs’ priority is clear — secure a vital win, end their three-month league drought, and show early progress under De Zerbi. Encouragingly, early signs suggest the players are already adapting well to his methods in training.
