Tottenham have suffered a huge blow in their battle for Champions League qualification after Destiny Udogie was ruled out for the season run-in.
Spurs’ Italian left-back took to social media on Saturday evening to confirm that he would not play again this term after undergoing unspecified surgery.
Alongside a picture of himself in a hospital bed, Udogie wrote on Instagram: “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
“An injury brings my season to an early end. It doesn’t take away from how grateful I am to every person that has supported me this year.”
The loss of Udogie is a real setback for Tottenham, with the 21-year-old having impressed hugely during his debut campaign in English football.
Initially signed from Udinese in a £21million deal in August 2022, he was loaned straight back to the Serie A outfit before officially joining Spurs last summer.
Udogie has been one of the first names on the teamsheet under Ange Postecoglou, scoring twice and registering three assists in 30 appearances across all competitions so far this term.
The last game of his debut campaign at Tottenham came in the 4-0 thrashing by Newcastle at St James’ Park last weekend, in which fellow full-back Pedro Porro also sustained a hamstring issue.
Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Fraser Forster are unlikely to play again this season for Spurs, who have a week off following that debacle on Tyneside before hosting Arsenal in a huge north London derby next weekend.
Postecoglou’s side - who should have Richarlison back against their fiercest rivals following a knee problem - currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind Aston Villa with one game in hand that will become two by the time they play again with Unai Emery’s men hosting Bournemouth on Sunday.
Tottenham face a number of tough games before the season finale, with that north London derby followed by back-to-back meetings with Chelsea and Liverpool.
Spurs also still have to play Manchester City as well as relegation battlers Burnley and Sheffield United and, knowing that a fifth-place finish will now surely not be enough to return to the Champions League next season after this week’s results in Europe left the Premier League all but certain to miss out on an extra slot in Europe’s elite club competition for 2024/25.
