Tottenham faces a defensive crisis as several key players are injured and unavailable. Captain Micky van de Ven was forced off during a Netherlands match with what is described as a minor injury, though his exact return date is uncertain beyond October 10 when Tottenham plays Manchester United away. Pedro Porro, the right-back, has been ruled out for about a month due to a hamstring injury sustained against Aston Villa and could potentially return by late October. Jan Paul van Hecke also withdrew from the Netherlands squad after sustaining an injury during training following a match against Serbia, with his recovery timeline unclear.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Tottenham Hotspur are facing a defensive crisis due to several injuries, including those sustained during the international break. Micky van de Ven, the team's captain, was forced off during a Netherlands match against Serbia after accidentally having his hand stepped on by Luka Jovic. Additionally, Pedro Porro and Jan Paul van Hecke have also been out of action. Manager Roberto De Zerbi hopes that the upcoming international break will provide these players an opportunity to recover their fitness without risking further injury. However, Tottenham remains cautious about rushing them back into professional play to avoid another reinjury. With Spurs currently at the bottom of the Premier League table and facing a challenging match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the return of these key defenders is crucial for improving their defensive lineup.
Written for “Tottenham Injury Updates” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Tottenham are hoping to welcome a number of injured players back into the fold after the international break as they look to lift themselves off the bottom of the Premier League, though a defensive crisis could be brewing.
uncertain
crisis → hop → League
A chastening, winless start to the campaign has left Spurs dead last in the table heading into this international break, but they have not been helped by the absence of Pedro Porro and some of his team-mates.
asserted
they → leave → mates
But as Roberto De Zerbi gets set to visit Old Trafford in search of a much-needed three points, he may be able to bring some long-term absentees along for the ride.
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he → set → ride
Tottenham suffered a new scare on Sunday night when captain Micky van de Ven was forced off late on during the Netherlands’ Nations League win over Serbia in Belgrade.
asserted
Ven → suffer → Belgrade
The centre-back accidentally had his hand stepped on by Luka Jovic and could not continue, leaving the Netherlands to see out the match with 10 men as they had already used all of their allotted substitutions.
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they → have → substitutions
The sight of Van de Ven going off injured will have been hugely concerning for Spurs fans, though Dutch boss Xavi confirmed afterwards that it was not a serious problem.
“He’s ok, he felt dizzy because he suffered with his finger.
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he → go → finger
It’s not a big injury,” Xavi said.
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Xavi → ’ → ?
Potential return date: October 10 vs Manchester United (A)
Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro withdrew from Spain’s squad for this international break after picking up a hamstring injury against Aston Villa last month.
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Porro → withdraw → Villa
The right-back lasted just 19 minutes before being forced off, with reports suggesting he is set for a month on the sidelines.
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he → last → sidelines
He has spent the international break working with coaches in Spain as he bids to build his fitness back up.
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he → spend → fitness
After three weeks of rest and recuperation, it is hoped he will be able to return before the end of October.
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he → hop → October
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Potential return date: October 19 vs Coventry (H)
Jan Paul van Hecke
He was stamped while facing Serbia but went on to complete 90 minutes.
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He → read → minutes
But the injury flared up during an open training session the next day and he subsequently withdrew from the squad.
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he → flare → squad
Xavi explained: “During the match against Serbia, someone stepped on him,” the new Netherlands boss said before the game against Greece.
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boss → explain → Greece
“He didn’t realise it during the match, but afterwards it was impossible for him to play.
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him → realise → match
“He really wanted to try, but he was in a lot of pain.
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he → want → pain
That is why we decided to take him off the list.
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we → decide → list
“He tried to participate in recovery training (on Tuesday).
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He → try → Tuesday
He tried again today, but he couldn’t touch the ball.”
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he → try → ball
It remains to be seen how severe his injury is or when he might return.
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he → remain → ?
Potential return date: Unknown
Dejan Kulusevski
A lengthy recovery has seen him undergo multiple procedures and suffer a variety of setbacks, but he is now back in first-team training and has been since September.
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he → see → September
De Zerbi has said the international break will be a good opportunity for him to build his fitness back up, and it is hoped he can return to the pitch in the coming weeks.
Tottenham, though, are being very cautious with him as they look to ease him back into professional play and avoid another reinjury.
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they → say → reinjury
Potential return date: October/November
Mykhailo Mudryk
He picked up an ankle injury in training in early September which De Zerbi has described as “stupid”.
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Zerbi → pick → which
He returned to chelsea to recover, and is expected to spend eight weeks on the sidelines.
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He → return → sidelines
That means he will miss this week’s trip to Old Trafford, but could return before the month is out.
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month → mean → Trafford
Potential return date: October 31 vs Crystal Palace (H)
Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons is in recovery after undergoing surgery on a ruptured ACL over the summer.
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Simons → undergo → summer
He has stepped up his recovery and is said to be progressing well, but he is not expected to touch the pitch until the new year.
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he → step → year
Potential return date: Early 2027
Wilson Odobert
Wilson Odobert has been sidelined since February after undergoing surgery on a ruptured ACL in his left knee.
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Odobert → sideline → knee
He is said to be in the latter stages of his recovery process and could return to the pitch as early as November.
Potential return date: Late November
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He → say → November
The Aporia
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