Tottenham have suffered a major new injury blow amid confirmation that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has undergone surgery.
In a surprise statement released on Monday evening, Spurs announced that their highly-rated No1 underwent a procedure to repair a fracture sustained to his right ankle during Saturday’s incredible 4-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham did not set a potential timeline for Vicario’s return or estimate the amount of time he will now spend on the sidelines, saying only that he would be assessed by medical staff in future to determine when he can resume training.
With the Italian international out of action for the foreseeable future, deputy Fraser Forster will now step up and assume starting duties for Ange Postecoglou’s side during a hectic fixture list across all competitions either side of Christmas, backed up by the likes of Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman.
“We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today (Monday 25 November) undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle,” Tottenham’s statement read.
“The 28-year-old suffered the injury during Saturday’s Premier League victory at Manchester City. Guglielmo will be assessed by our medical staff to determine when he can return to training.”
It remains to be seen if Vicario’s surely lengthy lay-off will see Tottenham enter the market for a new goalkeeper during the January transfer window.
We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 25, 2024
Guglielmo will be assessed by our medical staff to determine when he can return to training.
We're all behind you, Vic 🤍 pic.twitter.com/FURltXcb3N
Spurs had already been linked with potentially signing another stopper in the New Year to provide increased competition and support for the 28-year-old, who has become an instrumental figure for the club since joining from Serie A side Empoli in a £17.2million deal in the summer of 2023 on a five-year contract as the long-term replacement for former long-serving captain Hugo Lloris.
Vicario has made 55 appearances for Tottenham so far across all competitions, starting every Premier League game this season to date. He was rested for the Europa League games against Galatasaray and AZ Alkmaar and the Carabao Cup third-round win at Coventry, with former England international Forster, 36, deputising on those occasions.
Vicario started as usual in the historic win over City that inflicted a fifth consecutive defeat on the hosts for the first time since 2006, and ended up playing the full 90 minutes despite an injury suffered in the first half as he still pulled off a string of fine saves to deny the likes of Erling Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan, before being seen limping after the game.
His absence will be keenly felt as Spurs seek some much-needed consistency in their performances and results under Postecoglou, with Roma visiting north London in the Europa League on Thursday night ahead of Premier League meetings with Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Wolves to close out 2024.
Former Celtic boss Postecoglou also takes his team to Ibrox to battle Rangers in Europe in December, while Spurs also host Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup as they pursue a first major trophy success since 2008.
Tottenham have dealt with several key injury issues already this season, with the likes of influential captain Heung-min Son spending many weeks on the sidelines.
Spurs produced their victory at City without first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, while attackers Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are also in the treatment room at present along with teenage sensation Mikey Moore.
The loss of Vicario comes just days after Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was handed a seven-match ban by the Football Association (FA) for controversial comments made about Son, a punishment that Spurs are in the process of appealing.
