Tottenham face nearly two months without their top scorer, though the arrival of Conor Gallagher is a huge boost to the Spurs midfield.
Tottenham striker Richarlison will be out for up to seven weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Brazil forward limped out of Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup last Saturday, and could now miss Spurs’ next 10 matches.
His absence will serve as a significant blow to Spurs, who have won just one of their last seven games in and sit 14th in the Premier Leagueeight points outside the top four.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s London derby with relegation-threatened West Ham, manager Thomas Frank said: “Richarlison unfortunately got a hamstring injury that will keep him out for up to seven weeks.
“Lucas [Bergvall] could be available for Sunday and [Yves] Bissouma is back and available as well.
“Both Destiny [Udogie] and Dom [Solanke] will both be involved and available but are closer to playing more minutes.”
Which games will Richarlison miss?
In addition to the meeting with the Hammers, Richarlison will miss the following games if he is indeed out for seven weeks.
- Borussia Dortmund (H, Champions League)
- Burnley (A)
- Eintracht Frankfurt (A, Champions League)
- Manchester City (H)
- Manchester United (A)
- Newcastle United (H)
- Arsenal (H)
- Fulham (A)
- Crystal Palace (H)
The good news for Tottenham is the return of Solanke from ankle surgery, though it is likely that Randal Kolo Muani will lead the line against West Ham. The Paris Saint-Germain loanee will have to share the burden along with Solanke during Richarlison’s absence.
Richarlison has scored eight goals in all competitions this season.
Frank: Gallagher exactly what Tottenham need
Tottenham this week completed the signing of midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, beating title challengers Villa to his signature.
Gallagher arrived on a long-term contract in a deal reported to be worth £35million.
He joins a midfield missing Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison through injury. Pape Sarr is still at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, who face hosts Morocco in Sunday’s final.
And Frank, who is under huge pressure following his side’s slump in form, is confident the former Chelsea man can be a huge asset for Spurs.
“I think it is a top signing. I can’t praise the ownership enough for doing it and getting it over the line quick,” said Frank.
“I think what he brings in terms of ability first and foremost is, he is a very good player with great experience in the Premier League and La Liga. He has captained two teams so that character, leadership and experience – plus he’s still young with plenty of development to reach but coming in at a good level.
“His pressing abilities, directness, scoring goals but also being able to find good positions on the pitch is exactly what we need.”
Frank dismissed the notion Gallagher had joined Tottenham purely to boost his ambitions of playing at the World Cup.
“To be fair, we didn’t speak about that. He didn’t mention it. I didn’t mention it,” Frank said of Gallagher’s England aspirations.
“I can imagine it’s a very important thing for him but for me it was all about Tottenham and what he can add to us in the short and long-term. What is the plan, what is the vision.”
Asked if Tottenham could make another foray into the transfer market amid their well-documented injury issues, Frank said: “It is what it is. We have to deal with what we have.
“We are in the market as I said many times to see if we can improve the squad but it has to be something that improves the squad short and long-term. It can’t just be for the next four months.”
