Tottenham have been handed a further injury blow with Yves Bissouma to undergo surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle. Confirming the news in an official statement, Spurs have indicated that a timeframe for the player's return will be determined after surgery.
Joining the Lilywhites in the summer from Brighton & Hove Albion, the midfielder has mainly had to settle for minutes off the substitutes' bench this campaign with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur performing so well. Bissouma last featured in Tottenham's 1-0 win over Man City last weekend, coming on for the final six minutes of the contest.
However, he now looks set to face an extended period on the sidelines following his injury setback. Tottenham do have some important games on the agenda with a Champions League tie away at AC Milan coming up on Tuesday evening after they take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium this weekend.
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"We can confirm that Yves Bissouma is to undergo surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle," read a statement on the club's official website. "A timeframe for the midfielder’s return to training will be determined after surgery. He will begin rehabilitation with our medical staff as soon as possible."
Speaking to the media at Hotspur Way on Thursday afternoon to preview the Leicester encounter, Spurs assistant boss Cristian Stellini was asked about the injury latest but failed to mention Bissouma carrying an issue.
"Everyone is available for the next game," said the Italian. "We are all disappointed about Hugo [Lloris] and his injury. However, we have a good experienced goalkeeper [in] Fraser Forster with great experience in the Premier League and Champions League. We have a tough five weeks in front of us.
"We trust in Fraser and we are happy with him in the squad. We say to Hugo: ‘See you soon’. He needs a good recovery. He needs maybe between five and seven weeks to be back with us."
Bissouma won't be the only Tottenham player absent for Saturday's Premier League clash away at Leicester City as Lloris and Cristian Romero will also have to watch on from the stands. The goalkeeper sustained a knee injury late on in last Sunday's 1-0 win over Man City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while Romero will serve a one-match ban after seeing red for two bookable offences against the reigning champions.
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