Antonio Conte appeared to suggest that Yves Bissouma's ankle injury could keep him out until the end of the season after Tottenham's defeat at AC Milan.
Spurs went down 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, with former Manchester City youngster Brahim Diaz heading the only goal from close range just seven minutes in.
Spurs went into the game without Bissouma, the suspended Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the weekend defeat at Leicester and will sit out the rest of the campaign.
Young midfielders Oliver Skipp, 22, and Pape Sarr, 20, impressed after coming into the side in Milan, but in praising them Conte hinted that Bissouma may miss the rest of the campaign.
"I am really satisfied for both players because they played a really good game and they showed the trust that we have in them and they repaid it," Conte told BT Sport.
"Don't forget now we have just three midfielders and we have to continue with them maybe until the end of the season.
"The performance from Sarr and Skipp makes me more relaxed because I know I can count on them 100 per cent and we have Pierre Emile Hojbjerg who is a key player."
It was Initially suggested that former Brighton midfielder Bissouma could miss seven to eight weeks with the injury but Conte's assessment now raises doubts.
On the game itself, the Italian added: "I think it was better today and high intensity and I think we played against a good team and don't forget Milan last season won the league in Italy.
"I think that to concede the first goal we can do much better. Instead we concede a goal after maybe only five minutes. Then we try to lead the game and create a situation to score but I think Milan defender very well. We created the chances to score but in the end we are talking about a defeat, a loss."
Skipp, meanwhile, was pleased with his own display although disappointed with the result.
"I enjoyed every minute of it, not the result we wanted but there is a second leg to come and we are right in the game so we will take the positives," he said.
"Nice to make my debut, from the start anyway, playing in the Champions League is what you dream of as a kid.
"It wasn't the best start. I think after 10 minutes, it was a goal we didn't need to concede. Neither side created too many chances I feel, but there's a second leg and something to come back from."
