Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has provided an update on the team’s injury situation, revealing that while the overall condition is improving, key defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are still two to three weeks away from returning to action. Romero has been sidelined since December 8, while Van de Ven has made only two appearances since October 30. Both players will miss the upcoming match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Postecoglou expressed frustration over Van de Ven’s recurring setbacks. The Dutch defender initially suffered a hamstring injury in October against Chelsea and faced another issue after returning in December. Despite featuring in a Europa League match against Elfsborg last month, he has since been deemed unfit due to ongoing concerns.
Regarding Van de Ven’s recovery, Postecoglou explained, “With Micky, we’ve decided to take a different approach. We want to ensure he’s 100% ready before returning. He’s consulting with various medical teams and rehabilitation specialists, and while he’s feeling good and training well, we need to protect his long-term fitness. It’s worth sacrificing a few weeks now to safeguard his future.”
Romero’s recovery has also been slower than expected. Postecoglou added, “Cristian’s quad injury is taking longer to heal. He has one more scan to confirm it’s fully recovered, and once we get the all-clear, he should be ready to go.”
The injury woes come amid a challenging season for Tottenham, with Postecoglou facing increasing pressure. The team will also miss wingers Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner, as well as strikers Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, for the clash against Manchester United.
Postecoglou also commented on United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, acknowledging the difficulties of managing a team. “I respect all managers because I understand how tough the job is. Ruben is doing what he believes in, and United brought him in for a reason. If they stick with him for two years, they’ll see progress. Anyone expecting instant results is living in a different reality,” he said.
