The Tottenham squad is flying high right now, with players all over the pitch performing above and beyond. Ange Postecoglou‘s men are still unbeaten in the league, and currently sit at the top of the table.

A key area where Spurs are succeeding is in defence, with new signing Guglielmo Vicario coming in and proving to be a solid presence between the sticks.

Sadly, that means that Fraser Forster has not had much chance to play this term. But, having been at the club for a couple of years now, the 35-year-old has been able to get to know his teammates pretty well.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 23: Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring a goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 23, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Who is the most skilful player at Spurs?

One player Forster has seen plenty of, is Heung-min Son. The Tottenham captain is on fire this season, with seven goals so far (Transfermarkt), but it seems he has a talent beyond goalscoring.

On the Tottenham Hotspur website, as part of the ‘Getting to Know’ column, Forster was asked who he thought was the most skilful player in the team.

He said: “That’s a difficult one but I’d say Sonny. He’s got great feet, he’s fast, skilful, he’s a very good player.”

Forster answered plenty of other questions, including revealing he last swapped shirts with James Ward-Prowse, how he deals with setbacks by working hard and moving on, and explaining why he always wakes up early, even on his days off.

Spurs Web Opinion

We have a few skilful players in the current Spurs squad, with the likes of James Maddison, Richarlison, and Dejan Kulusevski all possessing great trickery and footwork. But Sonny is really showing this year just how special he is and I’d have to agree he is the most skilful.

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Last week, we relayed a report from The Times which claimed that apart from reinforcing a couple of areas, Tottenham’s priority in the January transfer window will be to offload unwanted players.

That report listed both Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier among the players who Spurs could look to move on when the transfer window opens.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur applauds the fans after the team’s victory during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on January 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Tottenham could let some contracts run down

However, those two are not the only ones whose contracts run out next June, with two other goalkeepers, Fraser Forster and Brandan Austin, also into the final year of their deals.

In addition, Ivan Perisic, who is currently out with an ACL injury, will also be a free agent next June.

If none of those players signs new contracts, GiveMeSport reveals that their departures would free up 450k per week from their wage bill.

Spurs Web Opinion

Among the aforementioned players, the only one I could see signing a new contract at the club is Forster. If the 35-year-old does not show major signs of decline this season, I can see him being offered a one-year extension, with Tottenham putting off signing a backup goalkeeper until 2025.

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To people’s surprise, Hugo Lloris was named in Tottenham’s 25-man Premier League squad after the Frenchman ended up rejecting several offers to leave Spurs during the summer transfer window (Evening Standard).

(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

That means that Postecoglou now has three senior goalkeepers at his disposal, but he insisted last week that there was no particular pecking order, suggesting that the selection will be based only on merit (Football.London).

It was Forster who once again got the nod to be on the bench ahead of Lloris for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Postecoglou has now remarked that he has been impressed with the England international in training and opined that the 35-year-old had a good game against Fulham in the Carabao Cup despite Spurs being knocked out on penalties.

Fraser Forster is impressing behind the scenes

The Australian said (via Chris Cowlin’s YouTube channel): “Vic’s earned the right to be number one, his performances have been outstanding so if he continues in that manner, and having Fraser and Hugo there he’s going to make sure he is on it every day.

“Fraser has been unbelievable, the way he’s been training and he was unlucky in the Fulham game. He had a good game there. That’s what I want and that’s what they want. They want to be pushed every day to be the best they can be.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Even though Ange has played down suggestions of a pecking order, there obviously is one, with Forester sitting ahead of Lloris at the moment. That is partly down to the Frenchman making it clear in the summer that he wants a new challenge rather than committing to the project.

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Tottenham jet off on Friday as part of their preparations to face Premier League rivals West Ham United in Perth on July 18th and will be without Rodrigo Bentancur, as expected with the Uruguayan continuing his rehabilitation following the anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee which he suffered at Leicester City in February.

Bentancur is not expected to be back in action until around November at the earliest (Sky Sports) and has a few months to go before he can look to force his way into Ange Postecoglou’s new-look side.

The 26-year-old will be joined at Hotspur Way by Fraser Forster, who also sits out the trip due to a back problem.   The goalkeeper saw out the remainder of the season between the sticks after Hugo Lloris sustained a muscular issue during the 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle United.

(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Bentancur and Forster will not travel on pre-season tour

Postecoglou stopped short of naming any other players who may be in jeopardy of not getting on the flight, with his side also set to play matches against Leicester City and AS Roma in Thailand and Singapore, respectively.

“He told Football.London: “We do have a couple, Rodrigo Bentancur is still out. Fraser Forster has a back injury and he won’t travel. There’s a couple of others. We’ll see how they go.

“I’d really like as many of the group as possible to go to begin building that team and camaraderie.”

Tottenham round off their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Shakhtar Donetsk in north London on August 6th.

SpursWeb Opinion

It is a shame that Bentancur cannot make the trip to be part of the team-building under Postecoglou, however, the midfielder will be working hard back at the club’s training ground to be able to return as soon as possible.

It remains to be seen whether Hugo Lloris will be part of the travelling party, or whether the Frenchman will be allowed to remain back to complete his exit. 

It is more likely that it will be Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman who see game time alongside new signing Guglielmo Vicario.

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Forster has had plenty of game time in his first season at Spurs, owing to Hugo Lloris’ injury woes and the 35-year-old has certainly not let the team down whenever called upon.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Big changes are expected between the sticks at Tottenham this summer, with Lloris admitting last week that he is now seeking a new challenge away from the club after eleven years in North London (Nice-Matin).

Tottenham are thought to be on the lookout for a new number one, with Brentford’s David Raya (The Times) and Everton’s Jordan Pickford (Football Transfers) both rumoured to be near the top of the club’s wishlist.

There have been no suggestions over recent weeks that Forster is likely to follow Lloris out of the door but with the former Southampton man only having a year left on his contract in N17, Gregory has said that he would not be surprised if the Magpies make an approach for the experienced shot-stopper.

Newcastle tipped to look at Spurs’ Fraser Forster

When asked about Newcastle making a move for Forster, the journalist told NUFC Matters: “I think it’s not a bad shout.

“He’s been number two at Spurs pretty much, he’s 35, 36, and he’s coming towards the end of his career.

“You need someone like that who is understanding of their role and won’t be first-choice. Nick Pope will be number one for the next couple of seasons, no doubt about that.

“It’s an interesting one, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are looking at someone like that. I watched Forster a few games last season, he made some great saves, but he also didn’t look as sharp as he could be.

“But if you’re bringing in a third-choice to help the squad and help the Champions League dilemma, it isn’t a bad shout at all.”

Spurs Web Opinion 

It is quite unlikely that Tottenham would want to get rid of both of their goalkeepers this summer, particularly given that Forster has not done much wrong this season. 

The 35-year-old has improved with the ball at his feet over the last couple of years, which is why he can adapt to Postecoglou’s style of play.

The fact that Forster is also homegrown makes him even more valuable to Spurs, which is why I see him staying for one more season and leaving on a free transfer next summer.

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The Three Lions will next month take to the field for their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, however, Dier will not be part of the squad.

Harry Kane retains his place as captain, while Southgate has also decided against recalling Fraser Forster who has featured for Tottenham in recent weeks in the absence of the injured Hugo Lloris.

Forster had been named in the previous squad for the fixtures against Italy and Ukraine in March, having benefited from the injury suffered by Newcastle United’s Nick Pope but did not take to the field in either match.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings comes back into the fold ahead of Dier, along with Brighton’s Lewis Dunk, who has only been capped once by his country, comes back into the international fold for the first time since 2018.

England’s June squad in full

Goalkeepers:

Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders:

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: 

Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham)

Forwards: 

Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)

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Forster was signed on a free transfer last summer after leaving Southampton and was brought in with the intention of providing cover for Spurs captain Hugo Lloris.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Far from making up the numbers and sitting on the bench all season, Forster has proven to be a more than dependable deputy to the Frenchman and has impressed many when he has stepped between the posts.

In a difficult season all around for the Lilywhites, Forster has made 16 appearances and conceded 22 goals (Transfermarkt).

Despite those numbers, Forster has provided the Spurs backline with some much-needed composure and has arguably performed better than Lloris this year.

It is well-documented that Spurs are now keen to replace Lloris as their number-one stopper, and it is highly likely a new goalkeeper will be signed in the summer (Football.London).

Forster’s current contract with Spurs expires at the end of next season, but the latest report from The Athletic suggests it is the Englishman who will retain his place in the Tottenham squad while Lloris will be replaced.

The decline of Lloris is thought to have led the club to make the decision that they will speed up the transition and let him leave the club.

Forster meanwhile, is looking more likely to stick around and be the understudy to the next number-one goalkeeper to arrive in North London.

Spurs Web Opinion

I think that would be a really shrewd decision. Forster has been very solid this season when called upon, and his experience, plus the fact he is homegrown, would be a huge benefit to our squad next season.

Lloris has been a fantastic servant to the club, but the time has come for him to leave.

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Conte and the entirety of his coaching staff have now departed Spurs after things went from bad to worse over the last few months, with Ryan Mason being handed the reins until the end of the campaign.

(Photo by ISABEL INFANTES/AFP via Getty Images)

The Lilywhites had overhauled the squad considerably during the Italian’s three transfer windows at the club, with several first-team stars being loaned out and it has now emerged that the 53-year-old had also planned on letting go of a few others this summer.

Football Insider claim that Conte had wanted Skipp, Davies and Forster to exit the club during the summer as he felt that the trio were part of a failing British core that were ‘not good enough’.

That would have necessitated the club to sign other homegrown players in the summer since Premier League regulations do not allow more than 17 non-homegrown players to be named in the squad.

Since Conte’s departure, Skipp has put pen to paper on a new contract at Tottenham which runs until 2027.

Spurs Web Opinion

I have a difficult time believing the validity of this report as Skipp, Davies and Forster have certainly done decently whenever called upon this season.

One would think that Conte would have prioritised offloading a few others such as Ryan Sessegnon, Davinson Sanchez, Lucas Moura and Japhet Tanganga before these three.

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Pope was originally supposed to join the Three Lions camp alongside Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale, but a recent injury after the win against Nottingham Forest has ruled him out.

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Forster has not played for England since 2016 but has been in fine form for his club since the injury to Hugo Lloris at the start of February.

The veteran goalkeeper has appeared 13 times between the sticks for Spurs this season and has been one of the standout performers in recent weeks, despite some poor results.

Forster saved an injury-time penalty against Nottingham Forest earlier this month, before making a number of crucial stops in the 3-3 draw with Southampton this weekend. Without him, the result could have been even worse.

Spurs Web Opinion:

It’s nice to see Forster getting recognition for his impressive form in a Spurs shirt. It’s also nice to know that Tottenham have a capable understudy to fill in when needed, even if Lloris decides to leave at the end of the season and a new keeper is signed.

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Forster was signed on a free transfer last summer, intended to be an experienced back-up option for first-choice keeper and club captain Hugo Lloris.

(Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

The 34-year-old has been called upon of late to stand in for Lloris, who is struggling on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Forster has now taken his tally this season to 12 appearances in total (Transfermarkt) and has proven himself a more than capable understudy for the Frenchman.

The towering keeper has impressed many with his recent displays, including clean sheets against West Ham and Chelsea, and a penalty save against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Lloris was ruled out at the start of February, with his injury expected to keep him out for six to eight weeks (Telegraph).

As for what happens when Lloris does return to full fitness, Conte was asked whether Forster has given him a difficult decision to make regarding who he puts between the sticks.

Conte told Football.London: “For sure Fraser is playing very well. He’s showing to be a reliable player. He’s showing to be a really good guy.

“I remembered him well from in the Champions League when we played Celtic with Juventus. He impressed me and the way to be a keeper.

“At the same time, He’s a really good person, a postive person for this dressing room.

“I think it was a fantastic signing for the club and he’s showing he deserves credit.”

On the return of Lloris, Conte said: “For sure Hugo is our keeper but before to come back he has to stay well.

“We won’t force the situation because he Fraser deserves credit.

“We are really happy with Fraser but when Hugo will be ready he is our first choice.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Honestly, I would be tempted to stick with Fraser Forster even when Lloris comes back.

The Frenchman was not having a good season at all, and we look a lot stronger with Forster in goal now.

It will be a hard decision, as Lloris is of course the captain, but the decision has to be made for the best of the whole team, and at the moment, Forster is the best option.

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The knee injury suffered by Hugo Lloris has seen Forster get a run of starts under his belt and while the England international has had a few shaky moments early on, he has largely looked untroubled over recent weeks.

The 34-year-old proved his prowess when it comes to facing spot-kicks by producing an excellent save from the penalty spot in the win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Multiple publications have reported over the last couple of months that Tottenham are expected to sign Lloris’ successor in the summer, with Giorgi Mamardashvili, David Raya, Robert Sanchez and Mike Maignan thought to be at the near the top of the North London club’s wishlist (Football.London).

Warnock does not believe that Forster is good enough to be the first choice between the sticks for a team with as lofty ambitions as Spurs.

The pundit told Sky Sports News about the former Saints stopper: “I think he struggled at the start, and I think that was just down to a lack of game time, a lack of playing, and you sort of have to find your feet.

“Luckily for him, obviously with the injury to Lloris, he was going to be the number one for the foreseeable. Is he the long-term replacement? If you’re Spurs and you want to compete for the title, and Champions League places, I think you need a world-class keeper.

“I think Fraser Forster is an outstanding backup goalkeeper, but to play for that next level, I don’t think that’s his level.”

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Spurs Web Opinion

Irrespective of how well Forster does, I do not think Tottenham would consider starting next season with the 34-year-old as their number one. However, his performances could perhaps convince the club to keep him around as the understudy rather than Hugo next season. 

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The 34-year-old arrived in North London last summer on a free transfer after his contract at Southampton run out, replacing Pierluigi Gollini as Hugo Lloris’ main understudy.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Until the last few weeks, Forster had to settle for just a few cup matches but Hugo Lloris’ knee injury has now opened the door for the England international to take over the gloves at a crucial point in the season.

Forster has admitted that although he was aware when he joined Spurs that he would be the second choice, it was not easy getting used to being on the bench every week.

He told The Guardian: “It’s hard … when you’re used to playing every game or always wanting to play every game. I was aware of what the situation would be but I thought when a club of this stature comes along, the opportunity is there. I thought there would be a lot of games.”

Forster has not put a foot wrong yet in the matches that he has played, which has included a Champions League clash at the San Siro.

When asked if he believes he can keep the number one shirt, the experienced goalkeeper responded: “Everyone in football dreams of being the number one at a club of this stature and I would like to do that. Equally, I’m fully aware Hugo is here. I’m very respectful of him and what he’s achieved.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Forster now has a rare opportunity to prove himself at the highest level in the twilight of his career, now that he has the responsibility of playing at a crucial point of the season, with Spurs looking to go far in the FA Cup and the Champions League.

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Forster was at Celtic when the Scottish side were drawn with Barcelona in the Group Stage of the Champions League back in 2012, with the goalkeeper starting against the Catalan giants at Celtic Park as well as at Camp Nou.

(Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

The Bhoys pulled off an unlikely victory at Celtic Park against the Catalan giants, with former Tottenham midfielder, Victor Wanyama, netting the match-winner on the night.

It was his performances in Scotland that earned Forster a move to Southampton in the summer of 2014 and the goalkeeper is now getting a taste of European football at Spurs for the first time since his Celtic days.

The 34-year-old, who has hardly put a foot wrong since stepping into the team for the injured Hugo Lloris, has now revealed that he swapped shirts with Messi during that famous night in Glasgow.

Forster told The Guardian: “The Messi shirt is tucked away somewhere with the rest of my memorabilia. I’m not one who has a room with everything in it.

“But I think he’s got a Fraser Forster shirt somewhere as well! The biggest mystery is where does Messi keep his Forster shirt?”

Spurs Web Opinion

One of the reasons that we are lucky to have Forster as a backup is that, unlike our previous number twos such as Gollini and Vorm, the former Southampton man has plenty of experience in high-pressure games, including Champions League clashes and international matches for England.

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Skipp was one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers in the first half of last season but the Spurs academy graduate had 2022 to forget, being sidelined with multiple injuries.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

It seems like luck has started to turn for the midfielder in 2023, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma’s injuries presenting him with another chance to prove himself.

The 22-year-old has certainly grabbed the opportunities that have come his way with both hands, showing his tenacity and defensive discipline by expertly putting out fires in front of Tottenham’s backline.

Apart from his defensive work, Skipp also showed on Sunday that he can handle the ball in tight areas, and made a big impact on the other end of the pitch by scoring his first senior goal for Spurs with a cleanly struck half-volley from the edge of the box.

Froster admitted that everyone in the dressing room is over the moon for the youngster, given the issues he has had over the last 12 months.

The goalkeeper told Spurs Play about Skipp’s goal: “Brilliant. Fantastic hit. Everyone’s absolutely delighted for him, everyone knows how hard he works and what a good professional he is. 

“To score your first goal in that manner is just fantastic. Everyone’s buzzing for him. It’s always tough. He had a bad injury and it always takes a bit of time coming back from that. 

“At a club like this as well you’ve got so much competition for places and fantastic players around you, so he’s had to be patient but whenever he’s been called upon he’s been fantastic.

“This run in the team he’s really showing what he can do and producing some fantastic performances.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It was evident from the way Skipp was mobbed by his teammates after his goal that he is a very popular member of the dressing room at Spurs.

The 22-year-old is seemingly growing in confidence with every game that he plays and his return to the team has arguably made us harder to break down defensively.

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It emerged on Wednesday evening that Tottenham will be without Hugo Lloris for six to eight weeks after the goalkeeper sustained ligament damage during Spurs’ win over Manchester City on Sunday (BBC Sport).

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

That means that the Lilywhites will have to rely on Foster to help them get through a crucial part of the campaign, with Antonio Conte’s men still competing on three fronts.

The former Southampton man has started just four games for Tottenham since joining on a free transfer in the summer – including two FA Cup matches and one League Cup tie (Tranfermarkt).

Murphy suggested that it is a great opportunity for Forster to prove himself at the North London club but he questioned whether the goalkeeper is ready to be thrown straight into the deep end.

When asked about Lloris’ injury, the Spurs midfielder told talkSPORT (8 February, 12 pm): “I think some Tottenham fans have been calling for Forster to get a game sooner than he has, because of the form of Lloris. He’s been up and down. He’s made some horrendous mistakes. 

“It is an opportunity (for Forster). He’s an experienced keeper. He’s been around European football before from his time at Celtic. It’s an opportunity for him. 

“But you do worry about any goalkeeper being thrust in and (wonder) whether he can hit the ground running. He hasn’t played for a long time.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Forster not only has experience at the highest level, including in the Champions League and international football, but he is also used to coming back into the team after long absences, having lost and won the number one shirt at Southampton various times over the last five years.

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Tottenham will have to make do without Hugo Lloris for potentially up to eight weeks after the Frenchman injured his knee ligaments in the win over Manchester City (Telegraph).

(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte now has to throw Forster into the deep end at a crucial point in the season. The 34-year-old has only started four matches since his summer switch to Spurs – three coming in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup – but Stellini insisted that they trust the former Southampton man to deliver.

Tottenham’s assistant head coach told Football.London about Forster: “We trust in him and he knows, because it’s not the first game he’s going to play.

“With your behaviour, with your relationship you create with him you can transfer to him that you trust in him. This is what we do during all the season.

“He’s an important player because he was also in the national team, so we don’t have to transfer to him too much confidence because he has confidence.

“He has great experience and it’s only the relationship you create with him that lets him understand that you trust in him. Also, he trains very well every day.”

When asked if the England international had any particular skillset that was better than Lloris, he answered: “No, I don’t think there is some aspect that he is better than Hugo Lloris in, because Hugo Lloris is a world champion. He’s just different.

“Every player has particular skills. Fraser has particular skills different from Hugo Lloris. Maybe he uses his physicality differently. But they are both great players and I don’t want to create difference between them.”

When quizzed about the relationship between Lloris and Forster, Stellini responded: “I look at them in the training ground. I don’t know about their personal relationship.

“I know they discuss a lot about goalkeepers. They discuss a lot when they watch other goalkeepers and they enjoy those moments.

“They work with Marco Savorani and they have meetings with Marco. I follow the meeting with Marco and they discuss a lot about situations from our games and other games. This is the relationship.

“They are professional players that look every time at football, feel football and discuss football. This is also a great skill that our players need to have.”

Reports over recent days have indicated that Spurs may look to snap up free agent Ben Foster as cover for Forster in light of Lloris’ injury (The Mirror) but Stellini has now insisted that the coaching staff have confidence in Alfie Whiteman and Brandon Austin.

When asked about the two academy graduates, the Italian responded: “Yeah, it’s completely different speaking about Forster with his experience and then Brandon and Alfie, but we would be confident if we need to play with them because they work with us every day.

“We understand their level and we have to keep them confident and the work they did is the confidence we have in them to use in the game.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I do not think Conte and the coaching staff would be comfortable playing either Austin or Whiteman in for a big Champions League or Premier League game even if they are talented goalkeepers. With Lloris potentially being out of action for two months, I expect the club to bring in an emergency backup such as Ben Foster.

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Tottenham are expected to be without Hugo Lloris for six to eight weeks after tests showed earlier this week that the Frenchman had injured his knee ligaments in the win over Manchester City (Telegraph).

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Injury expert Ben Dinnery even suggested a couple of days ago that the 36-year-old might not be back in action until the start of April (GiveMeSport).

That means that Antonio Conte’s men will have to rely on Forster to take over the gloves in a crucial phase of the season, with the Lilywhites trying to get themselves back into the top four spots and about to embark on the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Stellini said that the coaching staff have no doubts about the 34-year-old’s capabilities, remarking that the former Southampton man has the ideal attributes they want in a goalkeeper.

Tottenham’s assistant head coach told Football.London: “First thing I like Fraser like a man because he is a very good man. His behaviour in this season was perfect.

“Every day he pushes himself to train really hard and with this behaviour, he pushes Hugo to train very hard. He is a great man before a great goalkeeper because we don’t have to forgot we are men before we are player. I like Fraser.

“The difference between Hugo is we start to think physically he (Fraser) is a keeper perfect for the Premier League style, for the type of game we are going to play in the Premier League, he uses both feet when he plays with the ball.

“So, it will be interesting to see him for some weeks to play with us. We trust in him, we completely trust in him.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Fraser Forster is as experienced a backup as we can hope to have in a situation like this, with the goalkeeper having played at the highest level, including in the Champions League and for England.

However, if Lloris is expected to be out for two months, Spurs will have to find a backup to Forster from somewhere. I do not think we can afford to rely on Brandon Austin if the 34-year-old also pulls up with an injury or gets sent off.

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The Telegraph revealed on Wednesday that Lloris had picked up a knee injury in the latter stages of Spurs’ 1-0 win over Manchester City, with the Frenchman expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks as a result.

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

It has been suggested that Tottenham could snap up free agent Ben Foster as temporary goalkeeping cover in light of their captain’s injury (The Mirror) but Fraser Forster will be expected to take over the number one spot.

If, as expected, Lloirs is out of action until the middle of March, the former Southampton man could start Tottenham’s next six Premier League games as well as their FA Cup fifth-round clash against Sheffield United, and their two Champions League round of six ties against AC Milan.

Here are the Premier League games in which Forster could feature:

11/02/23 – Leicester vs Tottenham

19/02/23 – Tottenham vs West Ham

26/02/23 – Tottenham vs Chelsea

04/03/23 – Wolves vs Tottenham

11/03/23 – Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest

18/03/23 – Tottenham vs Southampton

Other competitions: 

14/02/23 – AC Milan vs Tottenham (Champions League round of 16 first leg )

08/03/23 – Tottenham vs AC Milan (Champions League round of 16 second leg)

01/03/23 – Sheffield United vs Tottenham (FA Cup fifth round)

Spurs Web Opinion

Forster is experienced at the highest level and is more than capable of coping with the pressure of the big Premier League and Champions League games. In fact, given the form Lloris has been in this season, one can argue that his injury does not really weaken the team.

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News broke earlier today that current number one Hugo Lloris is set to miss at least the next six weeks of action after sustaining a knee injury during the 1-0 win against Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (The Telegraph).

Lloris is at this stage not expected to undergo surgery in a bid to rectify the issue but is still set to sit out a sizeable chunk of the remainder of the campaign.

The Frenchman had had a difficult season at Tottenham, having made a number of high profile issues which had led to goals but is still considered to be a huge loss to Antonio Conte’s side.

34-year-old Fraser Forster, who joined the club on a free transfer during the summer is expected to deputise for the World Cup winner while he is sidelined with Tottenham having two relative inexperienced goalkeepers as the next options in the pecking order.

Forster has made just one Premier League appearance for the north Londoners this season, which came in the Boxing Day draw at Brentford.

Brandon Austin, 24, has been the club’s third choice goalkeeper this season and will likely move up to bench duties for Saturday’s game at Leicester City with Alfie Whiteman, who is also 24 and out of contract at the end of the season is expected to provide cover.

Foster decided to hang up his gloves in September at the age of 38 citing family reasons for being part of his decision making, despite having been offered the opportunity to join Newcastle United (The Athletic).

Tottenham head into this weekend looking to break back into the top four of the Premier League and will have to do so without their club captain and also for Tuesday evening’s Champions League round of sixteen first leg at AC Milan.

(Photo by Visionhaus)

SpursWeb Opinion

If Forster were to follow Lloris into the treatment room at Hotspur Way it would cause Tottenham a significant issue between the sticks, so it may not be the silliest idea to try to lure Foster out of retirement to provide extra cover for the next few weeks.

Foster has been capped by England and has a wealth of experience that can only benefit Spurs, unless another, active goalkeeper can be brought in as cover.

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While the World Cup continues in Qatar, the Tottenham players who didn’t make it to the tournament have been training hard ahead of the domestic season resuming on Boxing Day, when Spurs take on Brentford in the Premier League.

(Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

With this in mind, the club has arranged two mid-season friendlies to ensure the players are sharp and match-fit for when the season starts again. Spurs will host French side Nice on December 21, but first up is Scottish team, Motherwell.

The behind-closed-doors friendly is taking place at the Hotspur Way training ground today. The line-up for the game sees Brandon Austin in goal, Djed Spence, Japhet Tanganga, and Bryan Gil getting a start, and game time for youngsters like Charlie Sayers, and Harvey White.

Tottenham vs Motherwell starting XI:

Austin
Doherty
Sayers
Skipp
Tanganga
Sanchez
Spence
Bissouma
White
Kulusevski
Gil

BENCH:

Whiteman
Mundle
Devine
Santiago
Paskotsi
John
Lankshear
Donley
Dorrington
Robson

— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) December 9, 2022

There’s no place on the bench for Fraser Forster, Ryan Sessegnon, Emerson Royal, Clement Lenglet, or Lucas Moura, which has left some fans wondering where they are.

Football.London has the answers, it seems, as they reveal that Sessegnon is training alone due to an injury, while the other four players are suffering from slight knocks that are keeping them out of action as a precaution.

According to the report, Ryan Sessegnon “is back working on the grass but not with the group following his injury against Liverpool last month,” and is therefore not match-ready yet.

As for the other four players missing today, it is believed they have “suffered various minor knocks in training in recent days so their absence from the match is precautionary.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It’s good to know that the absences of Forster, Royal, Lenglet, and Moura are nothing to worry about long-term, while Sessegnon is working his way back to fitness as expected. In particular, we have to hope Clement Lenglet is fit and ready for the Brentford game, as it sounds like Ben Davies won’t be back in time after his injury at the World Cup.

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