Dejan Kulusevski backs Tottenham teammate to make a difference after huge injury blow

Dejan Kulusevski has backed Fraser Forster to step up and contribute to Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League campaign after Guglielmo Vicario was ruled out for the rest of the year upon undergoing surgery.

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed his first-choice shot-stopper will be out for “months” after the operation on his ankle. Vicario has not missed a single minute of Premier League football this season while Forster has yet to play in the competition.

The 36-year-old is set to make his season’s bow in the league during Sunday’s clash with Fulham, having only been used four times this campaign. He played in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League against Roma, meaning this weekend will mark the first time he has played consecutive matches this season.

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Brandon Austin, yet to make his first-team debut for Spurs, will likely make the bench for a second Premier League game this season, having been included in every Europa League matchday squad.

Kulusevski has faith in both goalkeeping options amid Vicario’s absence and has spoken glowingly of veteran Forster. “I think he is a top guy, with unbelievable experiences and I trust in him,” he said, as per the Independent.

“He is a really good guy to have around the team. He is ready to play and I feel also confident we have Brandon Austin, a very good goalkeeper.

“So, yeah we miss Vicario because he is a fantastic guy and everything, but now it’s time for Fraser to step up and help the team.”

Tottenham will be looking to build on last Sunday's 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium as they close in on the top four. Kulusevski has painted this weekend’s home clash with Fulham as a vital game given their dismantling of Man City.

“It is even more important [than the City game],” the Swede said of the Fulham encounter. “Sunday is a must-win. Sunday is huge against a tough opponent at home but we’ve got to win.”