Destiny Udogie is a doubt to face Manchester United in Thursday's Carabao Cup quarter-final, adding to Tottenham's injury woes with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero ruled out until January.

Udogie was forced off during the first half of Sunday's 5-0 win at Southampton, and replaced by Pedro Porro as Djed Spence moved to left-back in an impressive first start for the club.

Postecoglou said: "From the other night, Destiny no injury but he is still sore from the game. Not ruling him out but will see how he is with the turnaround."

Van de Ven and Romero were both suffered fresh injuries after returning to the side for the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on December 8, with the former picking up another hamstring problem and Romero hobbling off with a quad complaint.

Asked for an update on his first-choice centre-back pairing, Postecoglou said: "I think both will be in the new year. Not as significant an injury as last time with Micky but obviously having a setback the medical team is going to make sure he is right to go."

In more positive news, youngster Mikey Moore has returned to training following an illness, while left-back Ben Davies (hamstring) should follow soon after.

Postecoglou said: "Mikey is back in training so hopefully not too far away. The next cabs off the rank are Mikey and Ben Davies potentially next week and then Richarlison maybe first week of the new year."

Rodrigo Bentancur remains suspended but Spurs will welcome back Yves Bissouma against United after a one-match ban served at St. Mary’s.

Wilson Odobert (hamstring) and Guglielmo Vicario (foot) are also sidelined.

In spite of a difficult run of just two wins in nine matches, Postecoglou remains optimistic about Spurs’ potential and believes his side will pick up when their injury back-up starts to clear.

“I haven’t lost any resolve or optimism about what we’re building because I see plenty of growth in this group,” he said.

“I guess people will look at our league position and our league form and within that context are saying there isn’t things developing here, but if you stripe it away and look at the challenges we’ve had this year with the injury situation, we’re probably one result away from people saying we’re going OK in the league as well.

“My view is stay calm, stay focused and I see plenty of growth.

“Even Pape Sarr, mate. He is still a young man and is growing all the time and becoming a hell of a footballer. I just get so excited by all that. We’re going to hit some smoother waters at some point.

“I certainly feel there is some real growth that has happened and is happening at the moment.”