Tottenham star Micky van de Ven ‘dodges surgery as £43m defender’s return date is revealed’
TOTTENHAM star Micky van de Ven is likely to avoid surgery after his hamstring injury.
However, Spurs were still dealt a significant injury blow as Van de Ven is unlikely to play again this year.
According to The Telegraph, early indications show the centre-back will be sidelined until January “at the earliest”.
However, the Evening Standard report the Netherlands international is unlikely to go under the knife and will work on his rehabilitation with the North Londoners’ medical staff at Hotspur Way.
The 22-year-old appeared to have popped his hamstring during the first half of Monday’s dramatic derby against Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Van de Ven, who joined last summer for £43million from Wolfsburg, sustained the injury in the first minute of stoppage time and was barely able to stand on his feet as he was carried away by physios.
Tottenham endured an intense encounter against the Blues, who ended their undefeated run in the Premier League with a 4-1 triumph.
Manager Ange Postecoglou saw his injury list grow significantly with Van de Ven’s blow as star man James Maddison also came out with an ankle knock.
The Dutchman and Maddison join Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon and Ryan Sessegnon in the physio room.
To make matters worse, Richarlison revealed he will soon undergo surgery on his pelvis.
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This has left Postecoglou’s squad quite depleted as he also lost Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, who were both sent off.
Romero will be out for the next three games while Udogie was slapped with a one-match suspension.
The Australian tactician is now seriously short of centre-backs as he may have to call upon 18-year-old Ashley Phillips to team up with Eric Dier.
Another option is to play the likes of Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Ben Davies out of position.