Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Guglielmo Vicario will miss Tottenham’s crunch relegation clash at home to Brighton as he continues to recover from a hernia injury.
Vicario had surgery on his hernia over the international break and missed Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Sunderland last weekend.
De Zerbi said he had hoped to have Vicario back fit early this week, but the Italian shot-stopper was absent from training on Thursday, with Antonin Kinsky and Brandon Austin seen facing shots in footage posted on Spurs’ social media channels.
Asked whether Vicario would miss Saturday’s match at home to Brighton, De Zerbi confirmed that the 29-year-old would be absent, with Kinsky set to start successive games for the first time this season.
"Vicario, no (he is not fit). Vicario is another top guy. I'm looking forward to work with him. Anyway, Kinsky played very well in Sunderland.
“But Vicario is another important player for us. Big experience, big character, personality. And we are waiting for him.”
De Zerbi was also asked about captain Cristian Romero, who has been ruled out until the end of the season with a knee injury sustained following a collision with Kinsky at the Stadium of Light.
Questioned on the Argentine, the Spurs boss said: “Romero, I'm really sorry for him, for his injury. Romero, first of all, he's not stopping, and the people have to know that he's suffering from this injury.
“He's suffering because he can't play any more for us this season. But he's a great captain for us and for Tottenham as well.
“We have Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso. They are able to play well, to give us quality with the ball and to be strong in defensive space.”
In more positive news, Rodrigo Bentancur will be available for selection after returning to training this week for the first time since suffering a serious hamstring injury in January.
The Uruguayan will bolster De Zerbi’s options in midfield after a lacklustre performance in his first game in charge against Sunderland.
“Bentancur is available to play,” De Zerbi confirmed. “I don't know if he'll start the game or not.
“Bissouma is available 100% more than Sunderland game.”
He's suffering because he can't play any more for us this season
James Maddison was also spotted in training as he steps up his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The English midfielder is not, however, expected to be imminently available for selection, with his return to fitness being carefully managed.
"I don't know (if he will play again this season), I don't know yet,” De Zerbi added. “I don't want to push too much, because we lost Kudus in this way.
“I usually wait for the players when they are totally available to play and to start the training. Because it's better to lose one game more than to take a risk for another injury."
Spurs are two points from safety with six games to go after slipping into the relegation zone last weekend following their seventh defeat in eight league games.
