Tottenham: Christian Romero is the leader, says Tottenham coach Thomas Frank

Defender Destiny Udoji will also be out for the next four to five weeks, with Frank confirming that the 23-year-old Italian is suffering from a hamstring injury.

His absence adds to Tottenham’s injury problems, as there are only 11 players available for their match against Manchester City at the beginning of this month.

Asked whether Dejan Kulusevski, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since May, was likely to play this season, Frank said: “I don’t know.

“[He] He’s got another appointment this weekend where we’ll know more, but of course if he’s out of the Champions League squad then that’s a sign it’s no tomorrow. [that he will return]”.

After seven games without a win in the Premier League, Tottenham is in 15th place in the table, six points above the relegation zone.

In response to a question about whether he saw the club fighting a relegation battle, Frank told reporters: “There is no doubt that we are in dire need of winning matches, we are desperate.”

“Of course, we didn’t win enough,” he said. “If you’re not desperate, you don’t understand the situation you’re in.”