Ange Postecoglou has revealed that Micky van de Ven is unlikely to feature in Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.
The defender, who was 'kept on ice' for Sunday's win at Brentford as a precautionary measure, continues to build his fitness at Hotspur Way after returning from injury in last week's Europa League win over Elfsborg. Ange said both Micky and Cristian Romero - out since early December - will continue to 'tick over' in training until they are 'absolutely ready' - not least with Radu Dragusin now ruled out with a serious knee injury.
Speaking in his press conference on Wednesday morning, Ange said: "With Micky, and Romero to a certain extent, I feel like we've got to be a bit more conservative with them. Micky got through the game alright, but I don't think he feels he's ready for that step up to the Premier League, the intensity of it. The same with Romero. Look, after losing Radu for the rest of the season, really disappointing for him and for us, my view and decision is that we're not going to risk these guys, keep them ticking over in training and try to make sure they are absolutely ready, without any more setbacks. The other guys who are edging closer as well, similar lines with them as well."
"He got through the game (against Elfsborg) no problem but the Premier League is a whole different beast," he explained. "But, after losing Radu (Dragusin), I sat down and though about what we had ahead of us still... I feel like we've got to be more conservative.
"Don’t get me wrong, we have a couple of massive games this week for sure but we have also afforded ourselves a couple of weeks without midweek fixtures. Beyond that, Europe kicks in, which is massive for us, hopefully we're in a final in the Carabao Cup, hopefully we’re still in the FA Cup. I just don’t see the sense right now in risking that.
"Having Kevin (Danso) in is a massive bonus for us. He hasn’t reinjured the injury or anything like that. I just feel we need to get more into him, I think he feels he needs to get more into him, same with Romero, so it will just be a wait and see approach."
Micky and Cuti are currently joined on the sidelines by Guglielmo Vicario, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson.