Pape Matar Sarr is the latest name to be added to the Tottenham Hotspur injury/fitness concern list, one that is certainly growing. He has a thigh problem, but it doesn’t sound too serious. Manager Thomas Frank indicated that it’s just precautionary, by telling the media yesterday: “Pape [was] just a minor precaution. How can you say, a little stretch to the thigh, so we didn’t want to take any risks today. There is a good chance that he could be ready for Saturday.”
So we’ll put him in the “probable” to likely category. Sarr is certainly a designation better than “doubtful.”
Wolves at Tottenham Hotspur FYIs
Kickoff: Sat. Sept. 24, 8pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK
Tottenham Hotspur Preview Material: Starting XI Prediction Team News
Google Result Probability: Wolves 15% Draw 20% Tottenham Hotspur 65%
PL Form: Wolves LLLLL 20th, 0 pts Tottenham Hotspur 3rd, 10 pts WWLWD
Spurs Team News
Frank made the remarks after Spurs’ 3-0 over Doncaster in the League Cup third round, in his post match press conference. And in the pre-match press conference he provided updates on a few other players:
“Dominic (Solanke) and (Kota) Takai are progressing; they were training with the team today,” Frank said of the pair, who are both nursing ankle injuries.
They missed out versus Doncaster, but could be in contention here on the weekend. Frank also said on Tuesday:
“Kolo Muani and Ben Davies have minor injuries, but this game has just come too soon.”
So they should both be available on Saturday. At least in theory. Additionally, Frank provided an update on Dejan Kulusevski, who is still looking at a November return, from his knee injury.
‘He’s a key, key player for us. Instead of putting an exact month on [his return]. I just want him back as quick as possible. I know the medical team and Dejan are working very hard on that… It’s not tomorrow, hopefully not too far away.’
Other than that, everything else remains the same- Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison remain out.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter