Tottenham's Destiny Udogie Faces Extended Absence Until January Due To Hamstring Injury

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Tottenham Hotspur will face Slavia Prague in the Champions League without their left-back, Destiny Udogie. Thomas Frank confirmed Udogie's absence until January due to a hamstring injury sustained during a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United. This injury forced him to miss the recent victory over Brentford, which ended Tottenham's five-game winless streak.

Udogie's absence is significant as he has only played 15 matches this season, totalling 730 minutes. Djed Spence has been preferred in his position. With other injuries affecting key areas, Frank mentioned that Brennan Johnson, who has netted four goals this season, is also uncertain for upcoming matches. "Brennan Johnson is touch-and-go," Frank stated. He added that squad rotation would be necessary to maintain energy levels.

Frank emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum following their win against Brentford. "It's always good to build momentum, to get more consistent performances," he said. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Slavia Prague's physical and direct style, which includes man-marking across the pitch. Spurs aim to counter this with forwardness and direct attacking play.

Tottenham currently sits 16th in the Champions League standings with eight points from five games. They recently suffered a 5-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain but have avoided consecutive losses in major European competitions since March 2020. Historically, Spurs have faced Slavia Prague four times in the UEFA Cup between 2006 and 2008, remaining unbeaten with three wins and one draw.

Slavia Prague enters this match without a win in their last 12 major European competition games, recording five draws and seven losses. Despite this poor form, Frank remains cautious about their potential threat. The upcoming match presents an opportunity for Tottenham to solidify their performance consistency against a challenging opponent.

The December schedule remains demanding for Spurs as they navigate through injuries and intense fixtures. Ensuring player freshness through rotation will be crucial for maintaining competitive edge in both domestic and European contests.