Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has been dealt another debilitating defensive blow ahead of Sunday's Premier League London derby against Chelsea.
The Lilywhites lost both the game and Ben Davies to injury against Bournemouth on Thursday evening, and Postecoglou has admitted that the Welshman's hamstring issue may sideline him for a while.
Davies is one of seven stricken Spurs men guaranteed to miss the visit of the Blues, as Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspended), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Richarlison (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness) and Wilson Odobert (hamstring) will also watch on helplessly.
Toe victim Cristian Romero is the only member of the injured crowd who might have a slim chance of being available, but if he is not deemed ready for a start, Postecoglou will have no choice but to partner Archie Gray with Radu Dragusin.
Gray moving across to centre-back would at least allow Pedro Porro to rejoin a backline also comprising Destiny Udogie and Fraser Forster, the latter of whom has filled Vicario's boots adequately since his superior's injury.
Due to Spurs' lack of fit defensive options, Postecoglou may sacrifice James Maddison from the midfield, allowing Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma to provide a sturdy presence alongside Dejan Kulusevski.
Maddison dropping out would open up a spot for captain Son Heung-min to return to the final third alongside Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke, who recovered from illness to start against his former club on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Solanke, Son
> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this clash
Ben Knapton
