Spurs boss Postecoglou battles ongoing injury crisis ahead of Arsenal clash / Photo: © AFP/File
Spurs boss Postecoglou battles ongoing injury crisis ahead of Arsenal clash
Ange Postecoglou said Brazil forward Richarlison is fit to face Arsenal on Wednesday but Timo Werner will miss out as the Tottenham boss continues to juggle a daunting injury list.
Spurs, a lowly 12th in the Premier League, are desperate for a win against their north London rivals after three defeats and a draw in their past four league games.
Postecoglou has wrestled with a string of injuries this season.
Germany winger Werner, who picked up a hamstring injury in Sunday's FA Cup win at Tamworth, joins Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur and Wilson Odobert on the sidelines.
But Postecoglou told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that he saw positive signs on the injury front after a tough few months.
Richarlison has not played since he sustained a muscle injury during a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in November.
"Hopefully some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of players coming back," said the Australian. "Hopefully that means we can look at this back half of the season as something where we can make an impact.
"Big game tomorrow night, big game for the club, big game for our season, big game for our supporters, so looking forward to it."
The former Celtic boss, used to the bitter Old Firm rivalry in Glasgow, said he was aware of the intensity of the north London derby from the moment he arrived at the club.
But he is yet to beat Arsenal in three attempts as Spurs manager.
"I have been big on it from the first game and this year is as big as they ever come, especially for us and our season," he said.
"We need to start winning games in the league and there is no better place to start."
The Gunners, second in the table ahead of Tuesday's matches, are short of firepower.
Gabriel Jesus suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury against Manchester United at the weekend while Bukayo Saka is another long-term absentee.
Postecoglou was asked whether he had sympathy for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
"How much sympathy have they all had for me? I'm not really sure," he said.
"I certainly have empathy, that's probably a better word because I can understand how challenging it is for any team, irrespective of the size or quality.
"I guess with all these things it's where the injuries hit and the areas they hit and the significance of who the injuries are too will make it challenging, but I'm sure Mikel is not going to let that get in the way of him putting out a team tomorrow night that would want to beat us."
J.Sharp--TNT
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