Antonio Conte's Tottenham side travel to Elland Road on Saturday, to take on Leeds and try to get a much needed three points for their continued battle for a top four spot in the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa's side come into the fixture after a 6-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday and currently sit 15th in the table.
In his pre match press conference, Conte gave an update on the injury concerns at Spurs and they haven't got any better.
"Unfortunately he’s not available for tomorrow’s game because he had a problem in his ankle," the Italian said on Rodrigo Bentancur, after he was taken off at half-time against Burnley. "I don’t think this is a serious problem and I hope to see him in the team very soon but for sure tomorrow he’s not available.
"He’s another problem," Conte admitted, about Oliver Skipp. "I hope the medical department can help me. Skipp now is one month that he’s missing. It’s the same for [Japhet] Tanganga and I don’t want to put pressure on the medical department but for sure they have to help me try to solve the situation."
Taking into account Spurs' absences due to injury, football.london takes a look at three ways the Lilywhites could line-up when they travel North on Saturday.
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Kulusevski, Hojbjerg, Winks, Sessegnon; Moura, Kane, Son
After Emerson Royal was replaced with Lucas Moura at Turf Moor just after the hour mark, Dejan Kulusevski moved into the right wing-back position.
When speaking to the media on Friday, Conte was asked about this new position the Swede was put in.
"We finished the game with Kulusevski, and also Steven Bergwijn, as wing-backs," he said.
"Kulusevski is another player who can play in this role, and give us quality, and can be also a good solution for us in this position. I think he’s playing good games, and he is totally involved in our idea."
With the Brazilian and Matt Doherty not performing at the required level in recent games, the Italian may decide to give Kulusevski another chance in that role and he has already shown the impact he can make in the attacking half of the pitch.
Ryan Sessegnon has been the chosen left wing-back in the last two matches as Sergio Reguilon has been recovering from Covid.
The Spaniard did make the bench against Sean Dyche's side but didn't feature in the game and it is likely to be dependent on his fitness as to who starts on the left.
Moura was sidelined for the start of the Burnley game and played just 80 minutes against Pep Guardiola's side.
The Brazilian has experienced some mixed performances in recent games but has shown the impact he can have alongside Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, scoring six goals and registering as many assists in all competition this season and if Kulusevski is started as a wing-back, it could leave room for Moura to break back into the starting XI.
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Winks, Reguilon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son
Royal and Doherty have been occupying the right wing-back spot most often this season but neither have had many standout performances.
Both have shown potential down the flank but have failed to consistently impress, which is a let down for a Conte system which heavily relies on the use of wing-backs.
The Brazilian has been used most frequently and has started the last two games.
After the Leeds match Spurs have just a few days to prepare for their FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough and that could be when the Italian decides to make multiple rotations to his starting line-up and so could stick with Royal on Saturday.
Harry Winks is another player who has been in and out of form this season and with the arrival of Bentancur, has faced more competition for a spot in the middle of the field.
The 26-year-old has been given more of a chance recently, as Skipp continues to recover form his injury and he has just been served another boost as the January arrival is unavailable for the tie against Elland Road.
With a lack of squad depth after sending three central midfielders on loan during the winter window, it is most likely that Winks will step in, alongside Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, on Saturday.
As Reguilon made the bench against Burnley, it suggests he was fit enough to play, so Conte may feel he is ready to return to the starting line-up against Leeds.
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Kulusevski, Hojbjerg, Winks, Reguilon; Son; Bergwijn, Kane
If Conte does decide to make some rotations in his side, he may look to give Steven Bergwijn a chance, as he hasn't featured in the starting line-up since the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The Dutch international also finished the game at Turf Moor as a wing-back but Conte reiterated where he sees Bergwijn playing, when he spoke to the media on Friday
"We finish with an offensive solution [against Burnley] because Steven Bergwijn is a number 10, is a striker," Conte explained.
Therefore if the 24-year-old were to start the game on Saturday, it is likely he would be playing further up the pitch and could either be played just behind or alongside Kane.
The back line is likely to remain the same, as the strongest of the options available to the Italian.
Son and Kane showed their link-up play had returned against City and both did try and create as much as possible against Burnley, although the South Korean didn't have his greatest performance.
Whoever Conte decides to start against Bielsa's side, he will need them to bounce back from the defeat on Wednesday and show fight to get three points on the table.
