Roberto De Zerbi issues Mohammed Kudus injury latest as Tottenham suffer fresh blow | OneFootball

Summer signing has struggled for fitness in debut campaign

Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Mohammed Kudus will not play again for Tottenham this season after admitting the club pushed him too hard to return to fitness.

The news, which has thrown Kudus’ World Cup hopes into jeopardy, came just days after the Ghanaian had returned to training for the first time since January.

Kudus’ injury is a significant blow for De Zerbi, who had placed the former West Ham winger at the centre of his plans to keep Spurs in the Premier League.

But he said now was not the time to focus on the past as he admitted Kudus would play no part in Spurs’ final six games of the season.

“Kudus, for this season, has gone,” De Zerbi said ahead of Spurs’ crunch match at home to Brighton.

De Zerbi added that Kudus’ setback had informed his cautious approach to James Maddison’s return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Asked whether he felt Maddison could contribute to the run-in after more than eight months out, De Zerbi said he was unsure and did not want to rush the Englishman back to fitness.

“I don't know [if Maddison will play this season], I don't know yet. I don't want to push too much because we lost Kudus in this way. I used to waiting the players when they are available, totally available to play and to restart the training. Because it's better to lose one game more than to take a risk for another new injury.”

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also yet to feature under De Zerbi, having undergone hernia surgery over the international break.

The Spurs boss had hoped to have Vicario back this week, but confirmed that the Italian shot-stopper would miss Saturday’s clash with Brighton, with understudy Antonin Kinsky set to start successive games for the first time this season.

Pressed on when Vicario could return to fitness, he said he expected to have the 29-year-old back in training early next week.

“I think he can start with us from Monday [or] Tuesday,” De Zerbi added.

“Vicario is another top guy, and I’m looking forward to working with him. Anyway, Kinsky played very well against Sunderland, but Vicario is another important player for us.

“Big experience, big character, big personality and we are waiting for him.”