The National Times - Spurs goalkeeper Vicario out for 'months' with broken ankle

The Italy international needed treatment after a first-half collision with City winger Savinho at the Etihad but was able to finish the game.

The 28-year-old, who had surgery on Monday, has been a virtual ever-present since he signed for Tottenham in 2023 but Postecoglou will now have to turn to veteran back-up Fraser Forster.

"It's not going to be weeks, it'll be months," Postecoglou said on Wednesday, adding he did not want to give a timeline.

"I think once we're past the rehab stage and he starts getting out (onto the training pitch), we'll have a clearer idea."

Postecoglou, speaking on the eve of his team's Europa League clash against Claudio Ranieri's Roma, said the severity of Vicario's injury come as a shock.

"We saw he'd picked up the injury during the game," he said.

"We saw him at half-time, but there was no doubt about him continuing.

"You digest that and then, post-game, he was sore but, you're kind of like, 'He's just played 60 minutes with a sore ankle, but we'll tape it up and go again'.

"Externally people now realise, it's a testament to him as a person. He's as tough as nails and tough as they come."

Postecoglou believes his team are making progress in his second season in charge -- they are sixth in the Premier League and riding high in the Europa League table.

"I keep saying that we're a better side than we were last year and we want to keep improving and if we keep improving, the areas where there are gaps, we will slowly overcome," he said.

A.Little--TNT