Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie were absent from Tottenham training ahead of AS Monaco clash in the Champions League
With four points to their name from their opening two Champions League’s league phase games, Tottenham Hotspur are aware a win against AS Monaco would put them halfway to securing a place in the top 16.
Spurs’ Premier League campaign have gone off track due to recent results. They have won just once in their last four games, and Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa saw Thomas Frank’s side drop to sixth in the table. As far as their journey in the Champions League is concerned, the Lilywhites edged Villarreal 1-0 at home before drawing 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt in Norway.
The trip to AS Monaco on Wednesday evening presents a tough challenge for Tottenham. The task has become even bigger following a couple of key absentees in Thomas Frank’s squad.
Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie skip training ahead of AS Monaco clash
Tottenham have a few injury concerns going into this European clash. Cristian Romero had to withdraw against Aston Villa owing to an adductor injury in the build-up to the game on Sunday. Destiny Udogie was also a notable absentee from Frank’s XI, having suffered a ‘minor irritation’ in his knee upon his return from international duty.
As per Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie were not spotted in team training ahead of the trip to Monaco.
“There is no club captain Cristian Romero in Tottenham training ahead of their trip to Monaco. There is no Destiny Udogie, either,” Michael Bridge said on Sky Sports News.
“Romero suffered a slight abductor injury. He was down to start against Aston Villa, then left training before the game and Kevin Danso replaced him.
“Udogie has a slight knee issue, not thought to be serious at all.
“The rest of the squad from the Villa game are out there, so that is positive for Thomas Frank, but the games are going to come thick and fast now.”
Frank will need squad players to step up vs Monaco
Romero and Udogie not being involved in training before a day of the game is bad news for Tottenham and our fans. Even though Frank does not think the defensive duo’s injury problems are severe, them missing the crucial Champions League away tie at Monaco is a massive blow for Spurs.
We saw how Tottenham lacked Romero’s presence and leadership skills in defence against Villa on Sunday. The Argentinean was a big miss and it was hugely felt by the Lilywhites. The same can be said about Udogie, whose injury problems does not look like ending. When fully fit and running, the Italian is up there with the best left-backs in the division. However, the problem is he barely stays fit.
As Romero and Udogie are likely to miss out on the travelling squad to France, Frank will want his squad players to step up and be counted against Monaco in midweek.