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Ange Postecoglou handed fresh blow with Tottenham potentially without seven players vs Man City

Cristian Romero was taken off during Argentina vs Paraguay and has since withdrawn from the squad
-Credit: (Image: Christian Alvarenga/Getty Images)


Cristian Romero is the latest injury concern for Ange Postecoglou after the defender was ruled out of Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Peru on Wednesday.

Romero came off at half-time during the shock 2-1 defeat to Paraguay last Thursday due to a problem, the nature of which has yet to be confirmed. The 26-year-old was previously forced to exit Tottenham's 4-1 win over Aston Villa in the second half after sustaining a right foot complaint.

However, the centre-back returned to play the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town prior to the international break. The severity of Romero's latest issue is unknown, with Spurs due to face Manchester City away from home on Saturday.

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Argentina confirmed the withdrawal of Romero on social media. A statement on the national team’s X account said: “Defender Cristian Romero [is] left out of the match against Peru.”

The availability of Micky Van de Ven this weekend is doubtful with the Dutchman yet to return since tweaking his hamstring in Tottenham's League Cup win over Man City last month.

Postecoglou envisaged his return would be “some time after” the international break, clarifying: “When exactly, we’ll have to see."

Meanwhile, Spurs are set to be without the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur for the next seven domestic matches after using a racial slur about captain Son Heung-min during the summer. He has also been fined £100,000 and ordered to partake in a mandatory in-person education course.

His suspension begins this weekend against Man City. Timo Werner and Mikey Moore are doubts for the clash while Richarlison is not expected back from his hamstring issue for a while yet.

Wilson Odobert has meanwhile undergone hamstring surgery after persistent problems with the right leg muscle. As a result, he too is facing a long spell on the sidelines.