Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Ryan Mason has revealed that Cristian Romero will be absent for Sunday's Premier League clash with Leeds United, but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be involved.
Neither man was passed fit for last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to London rivals Brentford, having picked up unspecified injuries in their previous loss to Aston Villa on May 13.
Without Romero in the backline, Tottenham boss Mason opted for a four-man defence of Emerson Royal, Ben Davies, Clement Lenglet and Davinson Sanchez, while Yves Bissouma stepped in for Hojbjerg in the middle.
Mason addressed the media on Friday morning ahead of his side's trip to Elland Road this weekend, and while he had positive news to share on Hojbjerg, Romero remains confined to the infirmary.
"Cristian no, he's got an injury so he's out. Pierre trained yesterday so we're hopeful that maybe he can help us at the weekend," Mason replied when asked for a team news update.
Tottenham are already without long-term absentees Rodrigo Bentancur (ACL), Hugo Lloris (hip) and Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), and the club also announced on Wednesday that Eric Dier had undergone groin surgery and would also be unavailable for the final day.
Dier and Lloris are two of several players facing uncertain futures at Tottenham in the wake of their difficult campaign, and Mason admitted that a lot of work needs to be done in the transfer market in terms of both incomings and outgoings this summer.
However, the 31-year-old does not believe that the club should conduct any business without a new permanent manager in place in case any signings do not fit in with the coach's philosophy.
"There is work because we have a big squad, a lot of players on loan and decisions to make. First a lot of decisions to make about current squad," Mason added.
"Most important work away from transfer window, need manager in place, commitment, an idea. You can't do transfer business without a manager because it doesn't fit his idea."
Tottenham's search for a new manager has already hit several roadblocks, though, with Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot - who was regarded as their leading candidate - ruling himself out of the running and subsequently signing a new deal with the Dutch champions.
Former head coach Mauricio Pochettino is also on the verge of joining Chelsea, while ex-Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is not thought to be a candidate any more.
Despite their early setbacks, Mason issued a defiant response when asked if Tottenham was an attractive club for managers, adding: "Absolutely. Its history. It's Tottenham Hotspur. It's a big club.
"The staff and players and everyone here should feel the privilege of being here. If they don't then they shouldn't be here, simple as that."
Tottenham's continental fate is out of their own hands before the final day, as they sit one point below Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League qualification spot. body check tags ::
