Tottenham Hotspur were made to settle for a point in the Europa League against AS Roma on Thursday night.
Ange Postecoglou’s side lived dangerously having taken a 2-1 lead but the Lilywhites were unable to keep out the Italians in the dying minutes.
As a result, Tottenham have now slipped outside of the top eight in the Europa League standings which offer automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
But Spurs did go into the game with a number of significant injury issues with Cristian Romero sidelined with a foot issue.
And then there was their missing goalkeeper after Guglielmo Vicario underwent ankle surgery earlier this week.
Fraser Forster stepped in for the Italian, but Dejan Kulusevski has admitted Postecoglou has another option who has impressed him.
Dejan Kulusevski trusts Tottenham’s Brandon Austin
Forster was slammed by Tottenham fans against Roma for his role in the Italian side’s opening goal in the first half.
Speaking after the game, Kulusevski put his faith in Forster to replace Vicario but admitted he also likes what he’s seen from Brandon Austin.
“He’s really good and he made some big saves today [Thursday]. It’s great to have him and I think he’s ready to play,” Kulusevski told the media about Forster.
“And I also feel confident that we have Brandon Austin , who’s a very good goalkeeper.
“We miss Vicario because he’s a fantastic guy, but now it is time for Fraser to step up and help the team.”
Regardless of what some fans may feel, Postecoglou’s said Tottenham won’t sign a goalkeeper in January despite Vicario’s lengthy absence.
What Ange Postecoglou has said about Brandon Austin
Since arriving in north London, Postecoglou is yet to use Austin in a competitive game with the goalkeeper’s only minutes coming in pre-season.
Another Spurs youngster Joshua Keeley is impressing on loan with Leyton Orient, but it looks as if opportunities in Vicario’s absence are going to be few and far between for Austin.
Postecoglou did admit the 25-year-old is improving constantly at Hotspur Way but it seems Forster has nailed down the spot between the sticks.
“Brandon (Austin) is improving all the time and Alfie (Whiteman) has been at the club for a while,” Postecoglou told the media this week.
“We’re happy with what we’ve got. I don’t think us signing a free agent now is going to help us.”