Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has provided a significant boost to his side’s defensive ranks ahead of this Saturday’s high-profile Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Italian tactician confirmed that both Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke are available for selection, easing fears that the defensive duo would be sidelined following injuries sustained while on international duty with the Netherlands. Van de Ven had been nursing a hand injury, while Van Hecke returned to the club carrying a foot issue.
While both players are physically cleared to feature in the Saturday evening kickoff, De Zerbi noted that there is an “emotional aspect” to navigate regarding Van Hecke. The defender’s wife gave birth to twins earlier this week, and the manager emphasized the need to balance the player’s professional responsibilities with his significant personal news.
However, the news was not entirely positive for Spurs. Pedro Porro remains unavailable following the hamstring injury he picked up during the club’s recent 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa. The 27-year-old recently traveled to Spain to consult with a specialist, but despite the efforts, he is not yet ready to return to competitive action.
There is, however, a glimmer of light regarding the long-awaited return of Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish playmaker has been out for over 500 days due to a complex patella injury that necessitated two separate surgeries. Following a minor setback, Kulusevski successfully participated in an internal 11-a-side friendly during the international break. While Tottenham are exercising extreme caution, De Zerbi confirmed that Kulusevski will travel with the squad to Manchester in a support capacity—a role similar to the one James Maddison occupied before making his own return from an ACL injury last season.
Speaking on Maddison, De Zerbi offered a note of caution, admitting the England midfielder has faced a minor setback this week, preventing him from training entirely free of pain.
The squad faces a mounting injury list elsewhere, with Mykhailo Mudryk estimated to be several weeks away from returning from an ankle ligament injury, while Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain long-term absentees.
Despite the personnel challenges, the availability of Van de Ven and Van Hecke provides a welcome stability to the backline as Tottenham looks to bounce back at Old Trafford. The match is set for a 5:00 p.m. BST kickoff this Saturday and will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
Predicted Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Tonali, Gallagher; Savio, Marmoush, Tel.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
