Man United set to gain from Tottenham's injury blow ahead of Carabao Cup quarter-final | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur are facing another defensive headache ahead of their crucial League Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester United.

The club's Dutch centre-back, Micky van de Ven, remains a major doubt for the match due to a reoccurrence of his hamstring injury, according to The Standard.

This setback has left Spurs fans on edge, as they look to secure a place in the next round of the competition.

Van de Ven had only just returned to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up the same hamstring issue in late October.

Unfortunately, he was forced to leave the pitch late in Tottenham’s recent 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, with the injury flaring up once again.

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League | Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Micky van de Ven's absence raises doubts

While manager Ange Postecoglou initially downplayed the seriousness of the injury, Van de Ven’s absence in Spurs’ following matches against Rangers and Southampton has raised further concerns.

The club is yet to confirm whether the 23-year-old will be fit for Thursday's match, but he will undergo further assessments before the game.

With Tottenham already missing key players, Van de Ven’s fitness is becoming increasingly vital for the team’s defensive stability.

His pace, composure on the ball, and ability to organise the backline have been sorely missed in his absence, particularly with another key defender, Cristian Romero, also sidelined.

This season has already seen Van de Ven miss 13 games across three separate injury spells, including his initial hamstring injury that kept him out for eight matches.

The Importance of Micky van de Ven to Tottenham

While Spurs have had to adapt without him, his influence on the pitch is undeniable. Tottenham fans will no doubt remember his crucial role in the 3-0 win over Manchester United earlier this season.

Van de Ven played a key part in the victory, making a stunning run from defence, powering through United’s midfield and defence before laying on a perfect assist for Brennan Johnson’s opening goal.

With the League Cup quarter-final against United just around the corner, Spurs are hoping Van de Ven can recover in time to add some much-needed stability to their defence.

If he’s unavailable, it will be yet another challenge for Postecoglou and his squad, who will need to dig deep and find a solution to cope without one of their most influential defenders.