As Tottenham Hotspur prepare to face the daunting challenge of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, a flicker of hope emerges from the treatment room, starkly contrasting with the gloom of their domestic campaign. The club’s season has fractured into two realities: a European adventure that provides respite, and a Premier League relegation battle they are sleepwalking towards, winless in 2026 and just a point above the bottom three.
Manager Igor Tudor, who has been candid about the scale of the injury crisis engulfing his squad, may receive a timely boost for Tuesday’s first leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Full-back Djed Spence, who has missed the defeats to Fulham and Crystal Palace with a calf injury and has not featured since the loss to Arsenal a fortnight ago, is in contention. Before the Palace game, Tudor stated Spence was “not ready” but added, “We hope for the Champions League game.” A final decision will follow the team’s open training session and the manager’s press conference on Monday evening.
For other key figures, however, the European tie comes too soon. Left-back Destiny Udogie, sidelined since February 7 with a hamstring injury suffered at Manchester United, will not be available. Former manager Thomas Frank’s initial estimate of a four-to-five week absence suggests a return is nearing, potentially before the March international break, but the match in Madrid arrives just outside that window. The subsequent Premier League clash at Liverpool on Sunday may also come too early, with a more likely return in early April.
The midfield remains particularly depleted. Lucas Bergvall continues his recovery from ankle surgery after an injury in the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund in January, initially ruled out for up to three months. Reports from Sweden indicate positive progress, with the player no longer wearing a protective boot, and there is speculation he could be fit for Sweden’s World Cup play-off against Ukraine late this month. Tottenham, however, are expected to be more cautious, targeting a return after the international break.
Mohammed Kudus, who sustained a hamstring injury against Sunderland on January 4, travelled to Amsterdam in February to consult a specialist from his Ajax days. He is not expected back until after the international break, with a potential return date around April 11. Fellow midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who underwent surgery on a hamstring injury picked up at Bournemouth in January, is also targeting a mid-April to early May comeback.
The long-term absentees paint a picture of a season ravaged by serious injury. Dejan Kulusevski has been out for almost a year with a patella injury sustained before last season’s Europa League final. While sharing rehabilitation videos online and described by Tudor as having a positive outlook alongside positive doctors, his return date remains unknown, with a faint possibility of playing again this season. Wilson Odobert suffered a season-ending ACL tear against Newcastle in February and will not return until late 2026.
In defence, Ben Davies fractured his ankle against West Ham in January and is expected to be out for at least another month. With his contract expiring this summer, there is speculation this injury may have ended his Tottenham career. James Maddison, who ruptured his ACL in a pre-season friendly, has spoken of the “dark days” of recovery but is not expected to feature this season, with a target of summer 2026.
Tudor must navigate this crisis with additional disciplinary issues. Captain Cristian Romero will complete a four-match suspension against Crystal Palace but will be available for Liverpool. Micky van de Ven, recently back from a minor injury, will miss the Anfield trip due to a red card against Palace. Defender Radu Dragusin was also a doubt for Atletico with a minor knock, adding another layer of uncertainty.
The context is a club straining on all fronts. The second leg against Atletico looms on March 18 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the immediate Premier League concerns are dire. Tudor has admitted the team’s struggles, often stating returns are assessed “on a weekly basis.” As Spurs step onto one of Europe’s grandest stages, the shadow of a Championship fight follows them, with the walking wounded symbolising a campaign hanging by a thread.
