Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur is set to be out for the next six months after suffering a serious knee injury against Leicester City on Saturday.
Spurs were thrashed 4-1 at the King Power despite Bentancur opening the scoring after just 14 minutes.
But the midfielder’s afternoon was cut short after being forced off with injury, though he was able to walk off the pitch, with assistant manager Cristian Stellini saying: ‘We know that he feels pain, he can walk, so we have to wait a bit of time to check and understand what happened.
‘We hope he feels better in a few days, and we can have him back soon.’
But it has now been reported that the 25-year-old has badly damaged his ACL and as a result, the he is not expected back on the pitch until August at the earliest.
Bentancur has been one of Tottenham’s best players this season, with five goals and two assists in the league, with the north London side looking considerably worse off when he has not been available.
It is has left Antonio Conte with a huge selection headache for Tuesday night’s Champions League game at AC Milan.
Bentancur’s usual midfield partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is suspended, while Yves Bissouma is also on the sidelines having only just undergone surgery for an ankle injury, with no return date set for the Mali international.
This leaves Conte with young duo Pape Matar Sarr and Oliver Skipp, who combined have started just seven games in all competitions this season.
Tottenham are also currently without goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris who is likely to be out of action until April.
Following the Milan trip, they will host London rivals West Ham next Sunday as they attempt to get their Premier League campaign back on track.
Spurs are currently fifth in the table, two points off Newcastle in fourth having played a game more than the Magpies.
MORE : West Ham among ‘many clubs’ interested in out of contract Arsenal star Reiss Nelson
MORE : Micah Richards reveals why Manchester United can’t win the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal or Manchester City
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
