Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a major injury blow after midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was taken off at half-time of Wednesday's Premier League clash against Burnley.
Bentancur slipped awkwardly during the first half of the match at Turf Moor before going down holding his thigh.
Eventually, the Uruguayan international came off for English playmaker Harry Winks as Antonio Conte 's recorded their fourth defeat in five league games thanks to a goal from Ben Mee in the 71st minute.
That now leaves Conte short of options in the middle of the park, given Oliver Skipp is also currently sidelined with a groin problem, proving the Italian's comments on Spurs ' January transfer window right.
"What happened in January was not easy," the former Chelsea manager told Sky Sport Italia last week.
The veteran coach added: "We lost four players - four important players for Tottenham - and we brought in only two.
"So even just in terms of numbers, rather than reinforce the squad, we, on paper, may have weakened it.
"Bentancur and Kulusevski are ideal prospects for Tottenham, because Tottenham are seeking young players they can develop and grow, not players who are ready. That is the issue.
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"This is the vision and the philosophy of the club. It is inevitable that, if you want to grow quicker and if you want to be competitive more rapidly, you need players with a lot of experience, because they also raise the experience level of the overall team.
"But I repeat, I have realised now that this is the vision of the club."
