Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is set to undergo a hernia operation next week, adding to Spurs’ injury woes.
Vicario, who has been Spurs’ first-choice throughout this campaign, was a surprise omission from the latest Italy squad for the upcoming March international break.
In a statement confirming the surgery, Spurs clarified that Vicario will start in goal for Sunday’s huge relegation showdown with Nottingham Forest before going under the knife.
A club statement read: “We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery next week on a hernia.
“The minor procedure for the Italy international goalkeeper has been timed to have as minimal impact on our season as possible.
“Guglielmo will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, and it is hoped that he could return to action within the next month.”
Tottenham do not play a competitive match for three weeks following Sunday’s meeting with Forest, but the given one-month rehabilitation timeline suggests he will miss at least two matches.
Igor Tudor faced considerable criticism for his decision to drop Vicario for the Champions League last-16 first leg against Atletico Madrid, giving Antonio Kinsky the chance to impress instead.
The young Czech made a series of glaring errors in the opening stages of the match, though, and was substituted off to be replaced by Vicario after just 17 minutes.
It led to immediate suggestions that Kinsky’s career at Spurs was over after just 14 months, and 13 appearances.
Kinsky will now seemingly get the chance of immediate redemption with trips to Sunderland and Wolves, either side of the visit of Brighton, before the end of April.
Vicario joins a number of Spurs stars currently sidelined, with Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison among them.
