Tottenham’s injury problems continue to pile up for Ange Postecoglou (Image: X.com/TNT Sports)
Tottenham’s injury crisis showed no signs of ending after defender Radu Dragusin was forced off during their Europa League game against Elfsborg on Thursday.
The Romanian had only replaced Micky van de Ven in what appeared to be a pre-planned substitution at the half-time interval.
But the centre-back asked to be taken off after suffering what looked like a potentially serious knee injury.
Dragusin went to clear the ball on the touchline and as he planted his foot, his right leg twitched – leaving him in agony and feeling around his kneecap.
The 22-year-old tried to come back onto the pitch and continue after a brief conversation with Postecoglou.
But his time back on the field was short-lived for the youngster, as he immediately fell to the floor and signalled for a change.
Postecoglou was then accused by his counterpart Oscar Hiljemark of bringing Dragusin back on just to ensure Spurs could make a substitution, which led to some words exchanged by the two managers before the fourth official stepped in.
Dragusin lasted only 21 minutes as he was replaced by Dane Scarlett, with Yves Bissouma moving into the heart of defence alongside Archie Gray.
Radu Dragusin held his right knee after landing awkwardly (Image: Getty)
Spurs hero Glenn Hoddle, working the game as a co-commentator for TNT Sports, was left concerned by the nature of his injury.
“Dragusin’s gone down and he’s taken the touch there… ooh, that was after he played it,” Hoddle said.
“That looks quite serious, because he’s played the ball there and it’s gone. Then he’s landed and wow, then he holds his knee.”
Commentator Sam Matterface pointed out that Dragusin signalled straight to the bench and agreed it looked like a “serious concern”.
Ange Postecoglou was concerned on the touchline (Image: Getty)
Postecoglou had already gone into the game without 12 first-team members – and that was after Van de Ven had returned from injury.
Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, , Djed Spence and James Maddison were all injured.
Antonin Kinsky was cup-tied after playing for Sparta Prague earlier in the competition, while Sergio Reguilon and Spence were also left out of the 25-man Europa League squad at the start of the season.
But it proved to be a blessing in disguise as Spurs youngsters Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore – all under the age of 21 – scored late on in the 3-0 win over their Swedish opponents.