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Tottenham Hotspur’s terrible recent luck with injuries is somehow getting even worse.
Dele Alli limped off in the 86th minute of Spurs’ dramatic 2-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. The 22-year-old was grabbing the back of his leg, signifying that he may have suffered a hamstring injury, and now today the club have confirmed as much.
Dele’s hamstring strain will keep him out until at least March.
Following scans and clinical assessment, we can confirm that @dele_official has suffered a hamstring strain, sustained during Sunday's match.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 22, 2019
Dele will now undergo a period of rehabilitation with our medical staff, with the expectation of returning to training in early March. pic.twitter.com/BalHwgBFHZ
This costly injury comes at a time when Spurs’ attacking depth is already under strain. Lucas Moura is unavailable due to a knee injury, Harry Kane is out with an ankle injury, Moussa Sissoko also has a hamstring issue, and Son Heung-Min is away with South Korea playing in the Asian Cup.
The January transfer window is open, but no new signings are expected to be arriving.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou assisted Harry Winks’ late winner at Fulham. That was his first appearance in the Premier League this season, but Spurs may now have to turn to him more often.
Gutted. I will do everything in my power to return as quick as possible. Thank you for all the messages. pic.twitter.com/epuJcEUIbw
— Dele (@dele_official) January 22, 2019
Dele’s timetable is similar to that of Kane’s. Kane has a history of coming back early from injuries, but the club announced last week that he is not expected to return until March as well.
That means that both players will miss this week’s second leg of the League Cup semifinals against Chelsea, as well as at least the first leg of Spurs’ Champions League Round-of-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund. Kane and Dele will be hard-pressed to return in time for the second leg of that tie on March 5th.
Mauricio Pochettino will have to continue being creative as another one of his most important players has been sidelined for a few weeks. The squad’s luck with injuries this year has been particularly brutal following last summer’s World Cup.