Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou confirms Guglielmo Vicario faces 'months' out with ankle injury - 'It's a blow'
By Matt Jones
Published 27/11/2024 at 16:56 GMT
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Ange Postecoglou insists injury to first choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will have no impact on his plans for the January transfer window. The Spurs manager has confirmed his No. 1 stopper faces a spell of "months" not "weeks" on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle in the win over Manchester City last weekend. It means 36-year-old Fraser Forster will deputise for the forseeable future.
'City test you in every football way possible' - Postecoglou heaps praise on 'outstanding' Spurs
Video credit: SNTV
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will not play again this calendar year after undergoing ankle surgery.
The Italian international went under the knife after picking up the injury in Saturday's sensational 4-0 win over Manchester City.
He managed to play the entire 90 minutes, but a collision with opposition winger Savinho during the first half left him with a broken bone.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has now confirmed that the 28-year-old faces a significant spell on the sidelines.
"It's not going to be weeks, it'll be months," he said. "He's had surgery and there's certain timelines.
"I don't like giving timelines so early in a process like that because it puts undue pressure on the players and some expectations.
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"We saw he picked up an injury during the game and he was sore at half-time, but there was no doubt about him continuing.
"It is a testament to him as a person. He is as tough as nails, as tough as they come.
"But once we get past the rehab stage and he's getting out there we'll have a clearer idea."
Vicario joined Spurs from Empoli on a five-year deal in 2023.
His made his 50th Premier League appearance for the club at the Etihad Stadium.
Although it ended with a trip to hospital, Postecoglou has described the Italian's display as "one for the record books".
"It's a blow, but we've dealt with setbacks before and we'll deal with this one," he added.
"The fact he played at that level for 60-odd minutes with a fractured ankle was quite outstanding.
"Irrespective of the injury, it was a really outstanding performance. Taking that into context, it's certainly one for the record books at this club in terms of outstanding performances."
With Vicario on the sidelines, veteran Fraser Forster is to make his return to Premier League football.
The 36-year-old has made three appearances this season, all of them in cup competitions.
His last game in the top flight was in a 4-1 victory over Leeds in May 2023, just before Spurs signed Vicario.
Rookies Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman, neither of whom have made a senior appearance for Tottenham, provide further backup.
Despite their inexperience, Postecoglou has ruled out dipping into the transfer market.
"That's not going to happen," he said. "I don't think signing a free agent now is going to help us.
"Fraser, I've known for a long time. He's such a strong character in the group and always ready to play."
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