Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero ruled out until new year, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou confirms

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Ange Postecoglou is facing another setback in defence after confirming Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero will not feature until the new year. The Tottenham centre-back pairing were forced off with injury during the 4-3 loss to Chelsea earlier in December. Fellow defender Destiny Udogie is also a doubt for Wednesday night's League Cup tie with Manchester United as the injuries rack up.

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Tottenham Hotspur defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have been ruled out until the new year with injury, Ange Postecoglou has confirmed.

Both players were forced off during the 4-3 loss to Chelsea on December 8, and the Spurs boss does not expect either of them to feature in the busy festive schedule, which continues on Thursday with a home quarter-final tie against Manchester United in the EFL Cup.

It is another setback for Romero, who was making his first appearance in over a month after recovering from a toe injury, but lasted just 15 minutes on his return before suffering a quad problem.

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Van de Ven, who had missed the previous seven matches with a hamstring injury, then pulled up while running in the second half.

Postecoglou – who had defended his decision to start his centre-back pairing, insisting it was not a gamble – is now facing another injury crisis at the back.

"Van de Ven and Romero are still chugging along. I think both will be in the new year," said Postecoglou.

"Not as significant injury as last time with Micky, but obviously having a setback, the medical team is going to make sure he is right to go. So both of them in the new year at some point."

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To make matters worse, fellow defender Destiny Udogie is also expected to miss the match against Ruben Amorim's side, though Postecoglou is not ruling him out completely.

"I guess from the other night, Destiny no injury, but he is still a bit sore from the game. We are not ruling him out, but we will see how he is with the turnaround," said the Spurs boss.

Spurs, who are 10th in the Premier League table, host leaders Liverpool on Sunday, December 22, before facing a trip to high-flying Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

Postecoglou will be hoping Mikey Moore and Ben Davies can feature from next week, but forward Richarlison will not be available until early 2025.

"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," said Postecoglou.

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