Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi could hand a start to a Spurs player expected to recover from injury in time for their weekend clash with Sunderland.
De Zerbi is facing several selection concerns ahead of his first game in charge, which comes this Sunday at the Stadium of Light under high pressure. Spurs risk dropping into the relegation zone before kickoff if West Ham United defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, and the Italian has had just over a week to prepare a side that has not won a league game since December.
The squad remains thin in key areas, with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Wilson Odobert all ruled out for the rest of the season.
In goal, Guglielmo Vicario recently underwent hernia surgery, meaning Antonín Kinský is set to start — his first outing since a difficult Champions League match against Atlético Madrid.
Despite further injury setbacks limiting options ahead of the trip to the North East, there is some positive news. Pape Matar Sarr, who recently withdrew from international duty, is now expected to be available — a timely boost given the squad’s recent struggles.
Meanwhile, Mathys Tel could also return. The young forward is tipped to pass a late fitness test and start on the right side of the attack, having been one of the few bright performers during a difficult run under Igor Tudor. He has registered three goals and one assist in 31 appearances this season and had been growing in influence before picking up a thigh issue while on international duty with France’s Under-21s.
If Tel is not fully fit, Randal Kolo Muani could step in as an alternative. Xavi Simons is expected to take up the No.10 role, where he is more effective, while Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are likely to anchor midfield in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Whether Tel starts or Kolo Muani fills in, the objective remains unchanged: secure all three points, end a winless league run stretching over three months, and show early signs of progress under De Zerbi’s leadership. Early indications suggest a positive shift, with players already responding well to changes introduced in training at Hotspur Way.
