Tottenham will be without Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus for their FA Cup clash with Aston Villa this weekend.
Spurs captain Romero was on Friday handed a one-match suspension and fined £50,000 after admitting a Football Association (FA) charge that followed his reaction to a late sending off in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool last month.
Kevin Danso will now be expected to partner Micky van de Ven at centre-back against Villa, with Radu Dragusin in reserve.
Kudus, meanwhile, suffered a quad injury during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland and will not be back fit until early April.
“Kudus is a bigger one, to the tendon and quad, and don't expect him back until after the March international break,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference.
Rodrigo Bentancur is also facing a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Spurs’ damaging 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth on Wednesday.
The Uruguayan was replaced late on by Archie Gray at the Vitality Stadium, and Frank said the injury was worse than first feared.
Lucas Bergvall will also be assessed after coming off against Bournemouth with what appeared to be a muscle injury.
“Lucas is being assessed today. We'll know more later today with him,” Frank added.
“Same with Rodri [Bentancur]. Rodri is a hamstring injury, looks like a bigger one. We don't know the extent yet.”
With Bentancur and potentially Bergvall set to miss the third-round visit of Villa to north London, Frank has yet more decisions to make in midfield.
Joao Palhinha came back into the starting lineup against Bournemouth and scored an overhead kick to level the score in the second half.
He could be rewarded with another start against Villa, while Gray could be brought back in after starting on the bench against Bournemouth.
Frank switched up his attack against Andoni Iraola’s side, starting Randal Kolo Muani as the central striker.
The Frenchman was, however, ineffectual given the chance to impress in his favoured position and could make way for Richarlison, who nearly scored off the bench as Spurs rallied late on.
The game will come too soon for Dominic Solanke as he builds up fitness having resumed training following ankle surgery, potentially likewise Destiny Udogie after hamstring trouble, while Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison remain absent.
Midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Spence, Danso, Van de Ven, Porro; Gray, Palhinha; Simons, Tel, Richarlison; Kolo Muani
Injured: Solanke, Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus, Bentancur
Doubts: Bergvall, Udogie
Suspended: Romero
Unavailable: Bissouma, Sarr (AFCON)
Time and date: 5:45pm GMT on Saturday January 10, 2026
How to watch: BBC Sport and TNT Sports 1
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
