Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies has suffered a setback and won’t now be available for Sunday’s game with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Wales international had returned to training following a hamstring injury picked up in the defeat to Bournemouth on December 5.
It was hoped he could bolster a backline that has seen a number of absentees including Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero with midfielder Archie Gray called in to deputise.
Ange Postecoglou has revealed Davies, 31, has suffered a recurrence of the same issue and is now set for a further spell on the sidelines.
Asked on Friday whether he would be available, he replied: “No, he is ruled out, unfortunately he had a setback in training and is ruled out for a couple of weeks.
“We are in a tough spot and have been for a while. The nature of football and the fixture schedule means we have always been on a fine line. It’s another test for us.”
Postecoglou’s defensive problems were added to by Radu Dragusin being forced off in the closing stages of the Boxing Day defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Romania international Drugusin has been Gray’s regular partner in the centre of defence in recent games but could now too be an injury concern with an ankle issue.
“(It’s) a bit early to tell,” Postecoglou added. “He obviously tweaked his ankle last night and felt like he couldn’t continue. We have to wait and see.”
Defeat to Forest — a ninth of the season — left Spurs 11th in the Premier League table.
They host Wolves on Sunday before welcoming Newcastle United to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 4.
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