Tottenham go into January in a buoyant mood but with Ange Postecoglou's squad down to the bare bones after a string of injuries and suspensions.

The head coach has made no secret of the club's need to strengthen in the winter window, which they have used productively in recent seasons, bringing in Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur on deadline day in 2022 and Pedro Porro at the eleventh hour at the start of this year.

This season, however, Postecoglou has called on Spurs to try to do their business early to ensure his side can maintain their momentum through the month.

Top priority

A centre-back. Micky van de Ven's hamstring injury against Chelsea, coupled with Cristian Romero picking up a three-match ban in the same game, exposed Spurs' lack of cover in the heart of defence and forced Postecoglou to use full-backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies as makeshift centre-backs.

Eric Dier has no future under Postecoglou and is out of contract in the summer, while youngster Ashley Phillips probably needs time before he is ready for the Premier League.

What else they need

Everything really. Spurs could target a midfielder, particularly with Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma off to the Africa Cup of Nations next month and Giovani Lo Celso and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg admired elsewhere.

They may also move for a forward to boost Postecoglou's options across the front line, especially with Ivan Perisic a doubt to play again this season and out of contract in the summer.

Long-term, they need a centre-forward and cover across the board, although the bulk of the changes will have to wait until the summer.

Possible ins

Spurs have entered talks with Nice for centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo but he is admired by a host of other top clubs.

Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly are cheaper, homegrown options, while Genoa's Radu Dragusin is a target but is reportedly set to extend his contract in Italy.

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher was a summer target and would be again if the Blues decide to sell mid-season, while a loan deal for Portugese forward Jota, who worked under Postecoglou at Celtic and is now with Al-Ittihad, could suit all parties.

Possible outs

Spurs are reluctant to allow Barcelona target Lo Celso or Hojbjerg, who is admired by Atletico Madrid and Ajax, to leave mid-season given their lack of cover in midfield but that could change if they make signings.

Dier is more likely to leave in the summer when his contract is up but Spurs would listen to offers for the England defender next month.

Hugo Lloris will go if he gets a suitable offer or Spurs can agree an exit package. Ryan Sessegnon's hopes of moving in the summer were scuppered by hamstring surgery and he would probably have to prove his fitness before getting a winter transfer.