In a significant blow to Tottenham, their leading forward Richarlison has been ruled out for up to seven weeks due to a hamstring injury. The 28-year-old Brazilian international, who is Spurs' top scorer this season with seven goals in 21 Premier League games, will be sorely missed on the pitch.
The timing of the injury couldn't be worse for Thomas Frank's side as they prepare to host West Ham in a crucial London derby on Saturday (15:00 GMT). The team has been struggling recently, winning just one of their past seven matches across all competitions. This includes an unfortunate exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Aston Villa over the weekend. Currently sitting at 14th place in the Premier League table, Spurs are desperately looking for ways to turn their fortunes around.
Squad updates and new signings
Despite losing their top scorer, there is some good news for Tottenham fans. Midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Yves Bissouma have returned from injuries and are available for selection against West Ham. Additionally, full-back Destiny Udogie and striker Dominic Solanke could also feature in this important match-up.
In terms of new signings, Spurs have secured England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £35m. Manager Thomas Frank hailed Gallagher as a "top signing" who is "exactly what we need". The 25-year-old Englishman will undoubtedly add depth and quality to Tottenham's midfield line-up.
In another development off-the-field, former Netherlands and Everton defender John Heitinga has joined Tottenham as an assistant coach. Announced on Thursday by the club officials, Heitinga’s experience both as a player at top-flight clubs and his coaching acumen will surely bring fresh perspectives to the Spurs' coaching staff.
While Richarlison's injury is a setback, Tottenham will need to regroup quickly and focus on their upcoming matches. The return of key players from injuries and new signings could provide the much-needed boost for the team. With Gallagher in midfield and Heitinga in the coaching staff, it will be interesting to see how Spurs navigate through this challenging period.
