Tottenham are set to face Fulham at Craven Cottage in an intense London derby.
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Sunday, as Igor Tudor looks to get his first points on the board after being appointed as interim head coach until the end of the season.
The Croatian, indeed, endured a baptism of fire in English football, suffering defeat in his first game in charge of Spurs. Arsenal destroyed Tottenham 4-1 in the North London derby following braces from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The result left the Lilywhites stranded 16th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.
Owing to a crippling injury list, Igor Tudor was forced to play Archie Gray at right wing-back and Joao Palhinha as part of a back three, and it was immediately dismantled by the Gunners last weekend. However, the new interim boss has been handed something positive in terms of injuries ahead of the trip to Fulham.
Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso pictured training with the Tottenham team
After the game vs. Arsenal where the Tottenham defence conceded 2.36xG, Tudor confirmed that he was hopeful that he could get defenders Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso back in action this weekend. As per the pictures released by Tottenham’s official X account, both Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso were in training at Hotspur Way on Wednesday.
Pedro Porro has been missing for Spurs since being substituted at half-time against Burnley exactly a month ago. As a result, he has missed five games in all competitions. The Spaniard’s return from a hamstring injury is a massive boost for Tudor as it will likely cause a change in the starting XI this weekend, after Gray filled in at right wing-back in the North London derby.
With Tudor preferring to play three centre-backs, Kevin Danso’s return from a foot problem is also a considerable lift for Tottenham. Spurs have lost three of the four Premier League games missed by Danso, which gives one an idea of the Austrian’s importance to the side. He has deputised well almost every time in the absence of either Romero or Van de Ven, and with the 27-year-old now back, we could see him line up alongside Radu Dragusin and Van de Ven in a back three against Fulham.
Both Porro and Danso will significantly improve the Lilywhites’ defence that has been tormented by many teams in recent weeks and months. Hopefully, the duo start against Marco Silva’s side and help Tudor get a desperate win in west London.