Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham need a new centre-back in January, despite Ben Davies's seamless adaption to the role.
Davies has deputised at the heart of the back four since Micky van de Ven suffered a hamstring injury in the defeat to Chelsea on November 6.
Van de Ven is not expected to be fit until the New Year, while Ashley Phillips (ankle) and Eric Dier (groin) are also currently sidelined.
Postecoglou described Ben Davies as "outstanding" in last weekend's 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle but is conscious that the Wales left-back is having to play out of position.
"He’s getting a run of games now but we’ve always got to be mindful he is not a centre-back," Postecoglou said ahead of Friday's visit to Nottingham Forest.
"We’re trying to manufacture something there but he has grown into that role. I thought it was important last week because [Newcastle] are still a big threat and we had to be really disciplined and I thought we showed that.
"Apart from the goal, which got a bit sloppy towards the end, the rest of the game I thought we were pretty good.
"Ben’s still adapting to it. He’s done remarkably well. Centre-back is still a position where, especially in our structure, it is one of the few positions where you need guys with outstanding attributes in there.
"We’ve been very fortunate that he’s been able to fill in for us there. He’s really good at taking in information, he really understands the game, not just his own role but how we want to play and that’s helped him.
"Having [Cristian] Romeo next to him helps in that sense and Vic [goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario] because he’s taken a bit of a leadership role back there as well.
"Ultimately, we still need to sign another centre-back because at the moment we are a little bit on tenterhooks because if something happens again we are short and we are already short."
Romero served a three-match ban after being sent off against Chelsea, with Spurs taking one point from a possible nine in his absence, and he was fortunate to avoid another red card for a rash, studs-up challenge on Callum Wilson last weekend.
Postecoglou admitted there is a "spotlight" on the fiery Argentine and believes Romero has to make "adjustments" his game going forward.
"It’s fair to say the spotlight will be on him for the rest of the year," he said. "Any challenge he does whether it’s something that’s pretty clear like the Chelsea game or last week which I thought was as much clumsy as anything else.
"And he knows that, he understands that. He’s just got to make the adjustments that he needs to do during the game. But I don’t think it’s a subject for long chats [with me]. It’s pretty evident the impact he has on us when he’s playing and when he’s not, and we much prefer to have him out there."
Spurs were boosted this week by Destiny Udogie signing a new long-term contract until 2030, just three months after his Premier League debut.
"Really pleased with Destiny signing obviously," the Australian said. "This is the first phase of us trying to build something and the core of the group is fairly young and new to the Premier League.
"Destiny committing to us is an endorsement of what he sees as a good place for his future. It's his first year in the Premier League, he's adapting to a new role.
"He understands that, he's a willing worker in trying to improve himself but he's also made an impact, which is the big thing for us. Great to have him commit to the club long-term.
"It's something we want to continue to build on and hopefully keep the core of this group together for the coming years to build something special.
