Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has admitted that the club are investigating the root cause of the frequent injury concerns that have plagued them this season.
Ben Davies was poised for a return in the anticipated encounter against Wolves on Sunday but has now been sidelined following an unfortunate training setback, adding to Tottenham's defensive woes.
Radu Dragusin is also in doubt after limping off with an ankle injury during Thursday's disappointing 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
With first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven out since their failed return against Chelsea on December 7, Spurs are facing a serious defensive crunch.
Postecoglou said: "Yeah, that’s been our major problem this year. Guys who are coming back from injury rather than us losing players as such.
"We’re looking at those things and why they’re happening. It’s certainly happened too often this year where guys have come back and they’re the ones who are missing.
"I think just about all of them, apart from Vic (Guglielmo Vicario), are recurrences of an injury."
Despite these setbacks, Postecoglou hinted at potential positive developments, revealing plans for attackers Mikey Moore and Richarlison to resume training next week, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the injury gloom.
Richarlison, in particular, is on the comeback trail following his own November mishap when a calf problem re-emerged in the game against Aston Villa right after making his initial return.
Moore has been out of action due to illness for nearly two months, yet the 17-year-old is expected to inject some much-needed vitality into the team come the new year when Newcastle await on January 4.
Postecoglou revealed: "Him and Richy are in the final phases. Next week they can start training. We’ve got a bit of a gap before the Newcastle game. The plan is Mikey and Richy come back into first-team training next week."
However, the anticipated return of Moore and Richarlison won't be of any assistance to Postecoglou for the upcoming match against Wolves, as makeshift centre-back Archie Gray may have to join forces with fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma if Dragusin isn't fit in time.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Addressing the contentious issue of fixture congestion, with Spurs confirmed to be without eight players for Sunday's game, Postecoglou remarked: "It is challenging.
"All clubs are going to have to get their heads around it and authorities are going to have to get their heads around it.
"One of two things need to happen: either you somehow change the fixture schedule, which doesn’t seem feasible, or you allow clubs bigger squads. Then you have other issues with that, as well.
"The attrition rate you’re seeing and it’s not just us. We’re going through a particularly badly moment. Newcastle went through it last year and it affected them pretty badly. They were obviously in the Champions League as well and probably didn’t have the squad to cope with it.
"It hits certain clubs at different times and is probably becoming more prevalent, and for all of us it’s a challenge as to how we navigate this process to keep our players healthy.
"It’s not just a physical thing, it’s a mental thing. For us it’s been constant since August and we’re not even halfway through the year. And they’re not going to get a break now, so these things we’re constantly assessing."