Maddison, Romero & Van de Ven: Spurs injury list and return dates ahead of Man Utd clash

Tottenham Hotspur’s ongoing injury issues may not be at an end yet, but the light at the end of the tunnel is coming closer – and the big news this week is that Dutch defender Micky van de Ven, who was so impressive over the first couple of months of the campaign, has been back in training for the past week and should play against Manchester United this weekend.

Unfortunately, Spurs will still be without several important players for the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, with up to 12 players absent including Son Heung-Min, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr, all of whom are away on international duty at the Asian Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations. They will also have to make do with Ben Davies, a fresh addition to the injury list, and Eric Dier, who is finalising a transfer to Bayern Munich – so let’s take a look at the latest updates for each of the potential absentees ahead of a game which could have a substantial bearing on the eventual composition of the Premier League’s top four.

Cristian Romero (hamstring)

Van de Ven might be back but his preferred defensive partner remains a doubt as he deals with the hamstring injury that he picked up against Everton just before Christmas. He was initially expected to miss around a month of action, but appears to be making a rapid recovery, with The Athletic reporting that he is “feeling good” and could even feature on Sunday.

Ben Davies (hamstring)

A recent addition to the queue outside the physio’s suite, veteran defender Davies has been filling in admirably for Van de Ven over recent weeks but will miss the game against United after damaging his hamstring. No prognosis has yet been revealed and his return date is unknown, but Van de Ven’s return could scarcely have been better-timed.

Ivan Perišić (cruciate ligament)

The veteran Croatian international has probably played his last game in a Spurs shirt – the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in September has likely ended his season and, with his contract up at the end of June, it is likely that he departs, with reports suggesting that the 33-year-old is set to return to his boyhood club Hajduk Split.

Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring)

Sessegnon has yet to play a game this season and Spurs have kept most of the details of his recovery close to their chest – but on Christmas Day they reported that the former Fulham man was expected to be back in first-team training in January and it has been reported that he could return to action as soon as the game against Manchester United. That remains doubtful, however, and an appearance in one of Spurs’ Under-21 matches this month seems like a more likely first step on the road to playing in the Premier League again.

Manor Solomon (knee)

The Israeli international has been another long-term absentee thanks to a knee issue he suffered in the 2-1 victory over Liverpool at the end of September – but he is expected back in first-team training next week, with the FA Cup fourth round game against Manchester City on the last weekend of January a tentative target for availability.

James Maddison (ankle)

The England midfielder was hugely influential for Spurs before he picked up a serious ankle injury, and that has been a problem for the club with the statistics showing a marked decline in performances coinciding with his absence. Ange Postecoglou’s most recent update suggests we’re still at least a few weeks away from a return – he is apparently running with the sports science team, but isn’t expected to train with the first-team squad for another fortnight.

Giovani Lo Celso (muscle)

Lo Celso was taken off the field after an hour or so of Spurs’ FA Cup tie with Burnley after experiencing ‘tightness’ in an unspecified muscle, with Postecoglou telling the media after the game that he was “hoping it is nothing serious.” There have been no further updates, and Lo Celso is expected to be available barring an unannounced setback.

Alejo Véliz (knee)

The 20-year-old Argentine striker scored his first Premier League goal against Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of 2023 but promptly hurt himself just ten minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute in the following game against Bournemouth. Véliz is expected to miss around two months, with early March an approximate return date, and his injury may have forced the club’s hand when it came to the signing of Timo Werner.

Pape Matar Sarr (international duty)

Sarr has joined the Senegal squad for AFCON 2024 in the Ivory Coast, and they play their opening group stage game against Gambia on Monday 15 January. If the reigning champions make the final again, he will be absent until the final on 11 February.

Yves Bissouma (international duty)

The Malian midfielder is now with his national squad, too – his country will face off against South Africa, Tunisia and Namibia for a place in the knock-out rounds. It’s one of the tougher groups in the draw, so some Spurs fans may selfishly hope that The Eagles miss out on a place in the round of 16, which takes place from 27 January.

Son Heung-Min (international duty)

Perhaps Spurs’ most important player of all, the club captain will be representing South Korea in the Asian Cup – they begin their campaign with a group stage match against Bahrain on 15 January. South Korea are among the favourites to lift the trophy, and Son will be away until after the final on 10 February should they live up to expectations.