Cristian Romero back in Tottenham training but will not be ready for Hoffenheim
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Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero returned to training on Wednesday but has not travelled to Germany for their Europa League clash at Hoffenheim. Romero has only played once during the last two months following a toe issue, which was followed by a groin injury sustained in his comeback against Chelsea on December 8.
The absence of vice-captain Romero has occurred at a time when Spurs have repeatedly been without key personnel and poor form has followed to increase external noise around manager Ange Postecoglou’s position. Postecoglou retains the support of the club board, the PA news agency understands, and while Romero’s return to training will lift spirits amongst a depleted squad, the Argentina defender will not feature in Thursday’s away match at Hoffenheim where Tottenham could be without 14 players.
“He is training but he’s not travelled and is not playing. Yeah, probably another week to 10 days for him,” Postecoglou said. Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Dominic Solanke were already ruled out for Spurs through injury.
However, Antonin Kinsky, Djed Spence, Sergio Reguilon and Yang Min-hyeok are also unavailable due to not being registered for the league phase of the Europa League. Rodrigo Bentancur will return after he completed concussion protocols following a head injury against Liverpool on January 8, but fellow midfielder Pape Sarr is expected to miss out after he received a “knock” in Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Everton, which left Spurs 15th in the Premier League.
