Roberto De Zerbi confirms double Tottenham injury boost but star ruled out vs Brighton

The latest Tottenham injury news as Roberto De Zerbi provides huge update ahead of the weekend clash against Brighton

Roberto De Zerbi has provided an encouraging update on Rodrigo Bentancur ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's huge weekend clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Speaking to the media at Hotspur Way on Friday, De Zerbi confirmed Bentancur will return to the matchday squad on Saturday. The Uruguay international has been out since January with a hamstring injury but has been training with his teammates in recent weeks.

De Zerbi also confirmed Yves Bissouma is available although the game comes too soon for Guglielmo Vicario, who underwent hernia surgery during the international break. "Bentancur is available to play," De Zerbi told the media.

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"I don't know if he'll start the game or not. Bissouma is available but Vicario no. [Antonin] Kinsky played very well in Sunderland but Vicario is another important player for us, big experience, character and personality."

De Zerbi was also asked about Cristian Romero, whose season is now over due to a knee injury suffered at Sunderland last weekend after Brian Brobbey pushed him into Antonin Kinsky. The Italian said: "Romero, I'm really sorry for him and his injury.

"First of all, non-stop, the people have to know he's suffering because of this injury and because he can't play anymore for us in this season. He's a great captain for us and for Tottenham. We have to be positive, we have Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso, they are very good to play and give us quality with the ball."

As well as Romero and Vicario, Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Ben Davies, and Mohammed Kudus will all miss the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

On Maddison, who is now back on the training pitches as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered last summer, De Zerbi said: "There are a lot of different types of leaders. Real leader who talks inside the dressing room. Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball but also as a personality, mentality on the pitch.

I would like to reach this level for Micky van de Ven, Palhinha is a leader, Bentancur, I would like to push with Solanke, he is one of the best strikers in Premier League. I want him stronger as a character on the pitch.

"I don't want to push too much as we lost Kudus in this way. I will use the players when they are totally available to play and start the training, it's better to lose one game more than get another injury."

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