Alasdair Gold has revealed that while Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma are expected to be available for the North London derby, it is still unclear whether Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur will be fit in time for Sunday’s clash.
The game on Sunday is undoubtedly Spurs’ biggest of the season so far, with the Gunners sitting 11 points clear of their local rivals with a game in hand.
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The Lilywhites have an excellent home record against the Gunners, having lost just one league game at home to their rivals since 2007 but the current Arsenal side is arguably the best to visit N17 during that time, with Mikel Arteta’s men sitting pretty at the top of the table.
Tottenham have several injury concerns before the game, with Bissouma, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Richarlison and Moura all sidelined over recent weeks.
Sky Sports Football Daily revealed on Tuesday that Kulusevski and Bissouma trained at Hotspur Way while Richarlison and Bentancur did not join the group.
Gold has now said that while there is ‘some hope’ that Bentancur could be back in time for Sunday, the Uruguayan may have to make do with a place on the bench.
The journalist suggested that Richarlison also has a chance of making the matchday squad but he hinted that he looks unlikely to do so, as things stand.
When asked about the fitness of the aforementioned players, Gold said in a Q&A on Football.London: “After the squad’s two days off, Kulusevski was outdoors working individually today at Hotspur Way so hopefully that shows he’s on the road back for Sunday.
“Bentancur, there is some hope that he could also make it back in time although perhaps at this stage a bench role would be more likely if he does make it.
“Bissouma was back with the group after his ankle injury and Richarlison, if he makes it into the matchday squad would be ahead of schedule, and you can never rule out an appearance on the bench if his hamstring is deemed to have healed enough.
“Conte did declare that he hoped to have them all back for this match after the win at Palace.”
Spurs Web Opinion
The inclusion of Bentancur and Kulusevski in the starting eleven would transform our side but it does seem like the latter is more likely to play a part than the former. The importance of Sunday’s clash cannot be overstated as the result could transform the fortunes of either side for the remainder of the season.
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