Tottenham has been dealt a double injury blow as two crucial players were unable to attend training ahead of their upcoming clash against Wolves…

Tottenham suffered a setback as two crucial players were unable to participate in Thursday’s training session. Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, both defenders, were absent as they prepare for their upcoming match against Wolves in the Premier League.

The absence of these full-backs is particularly significant considering their pivotal roles in Tottenham’s recent 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. While Udogie sustained an injury in the 80th minute of that game, Porro remained on the field until the final whistle.

Udogie has made 21 appearances this season, scoring twice, while Porro has featured in 23 matches and has been a key contributor to manager Ange Postecoglou’s attacking strategy, providing eight assists in the Premier League.

Postecoglou initially downplayed any new injury concerns following the match against Brighton, stating that he didn’t believe there were any. He mentioned that Destiny went off but wasn’t certain if it was due to cramp, and everyone else seemed to be fine. However, it appears that the problem may be more serious than initially thought.

The fact that Porro is absent from training is quite surprising, especially considering that he showed no signs of slowing down in the final moments of the game. Udogie was also missing during the previous match against Wolves, which resulted in a 2-1 loss for Spurs due to late goals from Mario Lemina and Pablo Sarabia.

These potential injuries will only add to Spurs’ defensive troubles, as they have conceded in every Premier League game since their 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in mid-December. The absences of Porro and Udogie could provide an opportunity for newcomer Radu Dragusin, as well as Ben Davies and Emerson Royal, who have previously filled in for the injured Micky van de Ven and suspended Udogie earlier in the season.

Postecoglou has wasted no time in showering praise on the full-backs this season. Regarding Udogie, he expressed, “Upon assuming the role, I thoroughly assessed all the players who were loaned out last year, and Destiny happened to be one of them. I was genuinely impressed by his profile. Not only does he possess remarkable physical attributes, but he also showcased a distinct style of football, often utilized as an attacking wing-back.”

“As a young man, he made a significant impact in a challenging league. Serie A is renowned for its toughness, yet Destiny handled himself admirably. The moment we brought him in, it became evident that he possesses an unwavering desire to improve every single day. At just 20 years old, he has already faced formidable defensive challenges and has risen to the occasion remarkably well. His forward runs with the ball are truly exhilarating. I am genuinely delighted to have him as part of our team.”

Postecoglou has also expressed his admiration for Porro, particularly highlighting his late winner against Burnley in the FA Cup. He commended Pedro, stating, “Credit must be given to Pedro. He has been exceptional for us this year. His dedication to honing his skills is truly commendable, and he is undeniably an exceptional footballer.”

During a recent episode of the Rest is Football podcast, Micah Richards praised Udogie and Porro as the key players for Tottenham Hotspur after their impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle in December. Richards specifically highlighted the performance of the Spurs full-backs, referring to them as inverted full-backs. He commended their ability to not only get forward but also to do so with purpose.

Richards emphasized that Udogie and Porro were not just making runs into the attacking areas, but they were also making intelligent passes and contributing to the team’s build-up play. He expressed his admiration for Tottenham’s proactive approach, stating that while they may not be title contenders or finish in the top two as previously predicted, it is still a delight to watch a team playing with such attacking intent.

In other news, the upcoming match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers is scheduled to kick off at 3pm on Saturday. Fans can catch the live coverage of the game on BBC Radio 5 Live.