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On Thursday evening, Tottenham Hotspur will continue their final quest for silverware this season, as they lock horns with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

Ahead of the game, reliable Spurs insider, Paul O Keefe, has provided the fans with an injury update, with some good news — and some bad news.

Spurs fans given some fresh injury news ahead of Europa League showdown

The good news is that Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke are “in line” for the squad. The bad news is Dejan Kulusevski has picked up an injury that will keep him out of this game [at least].

Well, we all know by now that no good Spurs news is ever not accompanied by bad news — particularly when it comes to injuries — so this feels pretty on brand.

Although it is disappointing not to have Kulusevski available, overall it is hard to argue against this being a positive update for Ange’s side.

In addition, Spurs do feel better equipped to deal with an injury to the Sweden captain than they would have been a few weeks ago. They now have James Maddison available and able to have the keys to the midfield, whilst Brennan Johnson is available for the right hand side of the attack.

As for van de Ven and Romero, well it feels like it has been said 1000 times already, but it is just so important that they are 100% ready to go. Thursday will mark six weeks since van de Ven was last seen, when he played 45 minutes against Elfsborg. That was clearly too soon.

Meanwhile, there has been plenty of online discussion regarding the inclusion of Romero in Argentina’s preliminary squad for World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil later on this month. The fact he seems close to being available on Thursday evening should help ease some tensions regarding that selection.

To finish off, it really cannot be overstated just how important the return of Solanke will be. So far, Mathys Tel has had some bright moments, but you can see that, as of right now, he isn’t the man to be leading the line on his own. Which is fine. He is 19 years old — but it cannot be denied how big a miss Solanke has been.

In fact, the thought of those two linking up is pretty exciting, with the Englishman being the perfect foil for the teenager to play off of.

Let’s see how many of the three start on Thursday evening. Positive news in any case.

This season, Tottenham Hotspur have unfortunately endured a rollercoaster of highs and lows, often leaving supporters exasperated for all the wrong reasons.

Currently sitting 13th in the Premier League table, just below Crystal Palace, the club have struggled with injuries and underperforming players. However, not everyone has been stuck in a rut.

Before diving into today's main topic, let’s recap some early-week news. A fresh rumour has emerged, with TV commentator Ian Darke suggesting that Dominic Solanke could be on his way out of the club.

Additionally, we reported today that Tottenham are pleased with and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic, who is set to join the club this summer.

Now, one of the standout players who has managed to revive his form and help push the team forward is Djed Spence—potentially earning himself a new contract as a reward.

Djed Spence could be set for a new contract extension with Spurs

According to pundit John Wenham, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Djed Spence could be in line for another extension this summer due to his impressive performances.

"He has got a contract with the club until 2028," Wenham said.

"Based on his current form, I wouldn’t be surprised if another contract extension is being lined up for the summer which would see Spence extend until 2030 or 2031.

"I just think he is reaching new heights now, and he is easily worth £30million-plus already, and that value will only continue to skyrocket."

Tottenham defender finally proving his worth

Despite spending time out on loan, the 24-year-old has made a real impact since returning to the club, with the media taking notice.

In fact, his former Middlesbrough manager, Neil Warnock, recently had high praise for Spence’s recent performances.

"Well, I watched Djed Spence and I thought, what a player, you know," Warnock said. "When you looked at him on the pitch, I even thought, I bet he’s done all right off the pitch now."

Spence’s rise at Tottenham has also been aided by injuries to other defenders, giving him more game time and a chance to prove his worth.

It remains to be seen how his situation develops, but a contract renewal could well be on the horizon.

Over the weekend, there were plenty of games for Tottenham Hotspur loanees. We covered League One here, League Two here, and Belgium Pro league here - if you wish to catch up on how things unfolded there. Let’s round up the rest of the action here.Â

How things went for the rest of Tottenham Hotspur’s loanees this weekend

In the Championship, Ashley Phillips played the 90 minutes for Stoke City, as he helped the team to a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw at home to Watford. This point leaves the Potters in 19th place, with 36 points from their 35 games so far.Â

Elsewhere, Yang Min-hyeok started for Queens Park Rangers, as they hosted promotion hopefuls Sheffield United. Sadly, he was unable to make much impact, being substituted midway through the second half, as QPR were condemned to a 2-1 defeat — leaving them in 14th place, with 44 points from their 35 games.Â

Finally in the second tier of English football, Will Lankshear was an unused substitute, as his West Bromwich Albion side picked up a credible point away to top of the table Leeds United. This leaves the Baggies in sixth place, with 52 points from their 34 games to date.Â

Next up for Stoke is an away game against Coventry City, where manager Mark Robins will return to the club he spent nearly eight consecutive years at - for a 12:30 GMT kick off. Meanwhile, Lankshear’s West Brom will host Min-hyeok’s QPR at 15:00 GMT.Â

Down in the National League, Wealdstone’s game against Aldershot was postponed, as a result of their visitors being in the FA Trophy. They will be up against Tamworth this evening, away from home, for a 19:45 GMT kick off.Â

North of the border, Alfie Dorrington played for 49 minutes off the bench, as Aberdeen came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Dundee United. Nevertheless, they have now dropped to fourth in the league, with 42 points from 29 games. Next up is a home game against Queens Park in the Scottish Cup quarter finals, with a 13:30 GMT kick off on Saturday.

Over in Spain, Bryan Gil played 84 minutes for Girona, as they drew 2-2 at home to Celta Vigo in La Liga. This point leaves them in 13th place, with 32 points from their 26 games so far.Â

Meanwhile, there was no game for Alejo Veliz and his RCD Espanyol side — with their game away to Villarreal being postponed not long before kick off, due to the weather. You’re probably surprised to hear that happening over there — but as someone who has been in Spain over the last few days, it absolutely checks out.Â

Nevertheless, despite not playing — they remain in 15th place, with 27 points from 25 games, three points above the relegation zone with a game in hand.Â

Next up for — the two sides are up against each other. In the reverse fixture, Gil came out on top, scoring one goal and assisting two in a 4-1 win for Girona. This game, which is at Espanyol, is on Monday night, and will kick off at 20:00 GMT.Â

Tottenham is brimming with young talent and never shies away from showcasing it, something for which Ange Postecoglou is well known.

As the club prepares for their Europa League Round of 16 clash against AZ Alkmaar, Spurs' youngsters continue to make headlines.

Among them is 19-year-old George Abbott, currently on loan at Notts County FC, who has been praised for his impressive performances.

Another rising star is Mikey Moore, who has earned the trust of the Spurs manager on the pitch, though he recently appeared to have suffered a minor injury.

Meanwhile, supporters are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Luka Vuskovic, who is set to join the North London club.

Spurs eagerly await Luka Vuskovic's arrival

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via his X account, Tottenham Hotspur are highly excited about Vuskovic’s growth and development during his loan spell at Westerlo.

Romano states that Spurs are convinced signing Vuskovic was a wise decision, considering him a 'top talent'—a player who was, in fact, recommended by former Tottenham scout Leonardo Gabbanini.

The 18-year-old defender is set to join Spurs in the summer of 2025, and both the club and its supporters are eager to see what he can bring to the squad.

However, he will have to work hard to earn his place in the first team.

The young Croatian ready to shine at Tottenham

Despite having many admirers anticipating his arrival at Tottenham, not everyone is convinced. Just recently, a former professional footballer expressed doubts over whether Vuskovic is truly ready for Spurs.

However, the Croatian himself thinks otherwise. Back in January this year, he made it clear that he is keen to join the club.

Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws (h/t Voetbal Primeur), the defender stated: "I hope to play in the Premier League this year.

"The Belgian competition is a good step. In terms of ‘workload’, we are not inferior to England, only the pace and the intensity there are higher."

With the media praising his abilities and fans eagerly anticipating his arrival, it will be exciting to see how things unfold for the young Croatian talent.

As we edge closer to the summer transfer window, Tottenham’s squad changes are also drawing nearer.

No matter how much Spurs supporters may want to keep certain players at the club, speculation continues to grow over potential departures.

One of the key names linked with an exit is South Korean captain Heung-Min Son, who has reportedly attracted interest from major clubs such as Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and several Saudi Arabian teams.

Perhaps even more concerning for Spurs fans is defender Micky van de Ven, who was linked with Real Madrid just last week.

As if that weren’t enough, another forward’s future is now uncertain—Dominic Solanke.

Dominic Solanke could be on his way out of Spurs

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, TV commentator Ian Darke shared his thoughts, suggesting that Solanke is the most likely to leave the club.

"Tel looks like he’ll be at Tottenham permanently, and then there’s Danso; Brennan Johnson should stay," Darke said.

"Solanke is one of the top four or five strikers in the Premier League and I’d say he will likely be a target when fit if they’re not in Europe; Micky van de Ven might have a lot of admirers and then there’s James Maddison too."

Darke also explained that, given Solanke’s admirers, he could receive tempting offers if Tottenham fail to qualify for European competitions next season.

"I'm not sure if too many of them, based on this year’s form, have forced themselves onto the radar of many big clubs. I would lean towards Solanke having the most admirers."

The striker's departure could open the door for a replacement

Unfortunately, the striker has been sidelined for some time after suffering an injury during training.

His absence has been felt within the first team, prompting Spurs to explore alternative options—such as their recent interest in Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

If Solanke decides to leave, it would open the door for Delap to step in, as we recently reported.

It is believed that if Delap were to arrive, Solanke would be unwilling to settle for a bench role—or vice versa.

With the transfer window fast approaching, supporters can only speculate. Solanke’s return to the pitch is expected to happen soon.

On Saturday afternoon, Tottenham Hotspur loanee George Abbott and his Notts County side were in League Two action, as they faced Fleetwood Town up in the North West.Â

As always, the Spurs youngster was named in the starting XI by Notts manager Stuart Maynard — his 26th League Two start of the season, and 28th across all competitions — with it being his 30th overall appearance for the club.Â

How things went for George Abbott and Notts County in League Two

After just 16 minutes of the game, the Magpies managed to spring a quick counter, leading to Abbott being through on goal. From there, the teenager kept his composure despite pressure from defenders, firing an effort past the goalkeeper from just inside the box.Â

That gave Notts the lead until midway through the second half, when Fleetwood equalised from the spot. Things would go from bad to worse just two minutes later, when the hosts took the lead — turning the game completely on its head in a three minute spell.Â

Then, with a minute of normal time remaining — Abbott was found inside the box with a scooped pass. From there, the midfielder drilled a ball across goal, where Notts striker Alassana Jatta was on hand to tap the ball home, and make the game all square again.Â

That was how it ended, a 2-2 draw for Abbott’s side. Not a disaster result, but fairly frustrating all the same — particularly given the high standards they have set so far this season.Â

If there was any player that deserved to have been on the winning side, it was most certainly Abbott. During the 90 minutes, he recorded; 76 touches, four chances created, two big chances created, four shots, one foul drawn, two clearances, one blocked shot, three interceptions, and a tackle — all on top of a goal and an assist.Â

After this return, the 19-year old now recorded four goals and four assists from a central midfield role in League Two. He has also registered five big chances created, 1.6 interceptions per game, and 2.4 tackles per game. He does a bit of everything.Â

As for his side, despite this draw they remain fourth in League Two, with 58 points from 33 games — six points above eighth place, with vastly superior goal difference. They are three points behind third placed Doncaster Rovers, with a game in hand and comfortably better goal difference.Â

Next up is a home game against Barrow on Tuesday evening, for a 19:45 GMT kick off. As implied above, they could go into the automatic promotion spots should they pick up all three points.

Over the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur central defender Cristian Romero was named in Argentina’s preliminary squad by manager Lionel Scaloni, for World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Rodrigo Bentancur’s Uruguay later on this month.Â

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of this — it is important to note two things. First of all, and to state the obvious — the player has not picked himself. Second of all, this is a preliminary squad that will be cut down. There is the possibility that they will wait to see if he plays for Spurs before then, and decide to keep or cut him from the squad accordingly.Â

Cristian Romero in preliminary Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers

Nevertheless, as you can imagine — this has gone down like a lead balloon on social media within the fanbase, whom are far from happy. The defender has played 15 minutes since the defeat to Ipswich Town in November. So since that game, he has played 30 more minuted for Argentina than Spurs — despite no international break in four months.Â

That is not to attack and slander the player, it is just analysing the facts on offer, and showing why the fanbase are getting pretty frustrated with the situation at hand.Â

Earlier on this year, it was reported that Spurs were willing to make Romero the club’s highest paid player, in order to try and fend off interest in his services from elsewhere.Â

Regardless of your thoughts on Heung-Min Son — whether you think he’s finished, declined, not good enough to start, any or all of that — he objectively does not deserve to earn less money than Romero, given everything he has done for the club over such a long period of time.

It is not to say that the Argentine is a bad player, far from it. However, as always, availability is the best ability. What is the point if you can only play for a quarter of an hour in four months? Compared to the skipper who, after missing a few games early on, is playing every week despite being in his 30’s now.Â

This is not to say the injuries are Romero’s fault, at least certainly not entirely his fault. Whether it be Ange or the medical team, the likelihood is he hasn’t had the absolutely optimal physical care to be available during this time.Â

In any case, let’s see if he is available against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening. He seems to have been back training for a minute now, so there will be plenty of frustration if he is not at Ange’s disposal for a huge game. That said, if he is not 100%, then no doubt it should wait, as annoying as it would be.

On Sunday evening, Spurs loanee Luka Vuskovic and his KVC Westerlo side were in Belgium Pro League action, as they faced OH Leuven away from home, for match day 28 of the season. Unfortunately, Alfie Devine was again missing through injury for this one.Â

In a tough, physical game, Westerlo could not get the win that their position in the league really could have done with — but from Vuskovic’s point of view, it certainly was not for the want of trying — putting in an incredible performance.Â

Luka Vuskovic shows why there is so much hype around his name

Throughout the game, the Croatian youngster recorded; six clearances, including one off the line, two blocked shots, three interceptions, 60 touches, one chance created, 10/10 accurate long balls (!), 10/11 aerial duels won (!), seven ball recoveries, one shot on target, zero fouls committed, two shots off target, and 1/1 successful dribble attempts.Â

So far this season, Vuskovic has had multiple top class performances, both defensively and offensively, but this was surely the best of the lot. 10/10 accurate long balls, whilst winning 10/11 aerial duels. Supreme defensively and on the ball. An absolute monster performance from a seriously talented player.Â

Said it a number of times before, but it really will be interesting to see what happens with him next season. The assumption before was that he would get a loan to a side in the top five leagues, but perhaps how he will become part of the Tottenham Hotspur first team — particularly with how many games Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero miss every season.Â

Nevertheless, there is no rush. At eighteen years old (and only just), there is so much time on his side. It is perhaps unrealistic to expect someone of that age to be able to play regular minutes in the Premier League — but he is doing his chances of that absolutely no harm at the moment.

Already a Croatia U21 international, despite being 17 during his appearances — it will be interesting to see whether or not he gets a call up for their upcoming Nations League games against France in three weeks time, where he could link up with former Spurs players Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic.

As for Westerlo, a disappointing result. They remain in the relegation round places, with just two games left to escape. They have 32 points from their 28 games, one point below Dender, who occupy 12th spot, the position Vuskovic’s side need to get to, to avoid the possibility of relegation.Â

Next up is a home game against Anderlecht and Jan Vertonghen on Sunday, for a 16:00 GMT kick off.Â

Most of you will know by now that Spurs have an option to buy Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso — sometimes known mononymously as Johnny — this summer for around 25 million Euros, as part of the transfer that saw Giovani Lo Celso return to Betis permanently last summer, five years after departing the club to join Spurs in the summer of 2019.Â

Plenty of fans have hoped that the club would exercise their option to sign the player in the summer — with his tenacious profile seen as something that Ange’s side lack in the middle of the park.Â

On Saturday evening, the USMNT international was in action, as his Betis side took on La Liga and European defending Champions Real Madrid at home.Â

Midfielder that Spurs can buy this summer impresses against Real Madrid

It’s safe to say, there is now even more clamour for Spurs to bring him to N17, after a superb display against a top side in Real. During the game, Cardoso recorded; 64 touches, three shots, 2/4 successful dribbles, three clearances, five interceptions, and three tackles — helping his side to a huge 2-1 victory.Â

However, it was not just his all round display that helped Betis win the game. After Real had taken the lead after 10 minutes, the 23-year old midfielder headed home from a corner with a little over ten minutes of the first half remaining. Not long into the second half, they would take the lead — and saw the game out very comfortably from there.Â

Whilst Spurs do have an option to buy the player in the summer, they must act quick. There was reportedly interest in Cardoso’s services in the winter transfer window — and if someone offers the same, or perhaps more, than the amount Spurs have the option to buy him for — then there would be little to no incentive for the Seville club not to cash in.Â

So, will Spurs be serious? History would suggest not, they took until February to make their two outfield signing of the winter transfer window, and often leave deals until the last minute, but let’s see.Â

The midfielder’s current national team manager is former Tottenham Hotspur head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, so let’s hope if the player ends up having to decide between clubs, that the former boss can put in a good word for Spurs, and help sway him to North London.

Although there is no game for Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, nor any games in the Premier League this weekend due to the FA Cup fifth round - there are lots of game for Spurs loanees. Let's take a look at how things are shaping up for them. Â

How things are looking for Tottenham Hotspur loanees this weekend

In the Championship – Will Lankshear and his West Bromwich Albion side make the trip to West Yorkshire to face top of the table Leeds United – live in front of the Sky Sports cameras, at 12:30 GMT, for those of you in the UK. Meanwhile, Yang Min-hyeok host second place Sheffield United at 15:00 GMT on Saturday. At the same time, Ashley Phillips and Stoke City will be looking to bounce back from midweek defeat at home to Middlesbrough, when they host Watford. Â

Meanwhile, in League One – Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley, and their Leyton Orient side will host Charlton Athletic, in a huge six pointer regarding the play-off places. Matthew Craig’s Mansfield Town make the trip to Burton Albion, though he has not played for ages now assumably with an injury of some sort. Both games kick off at 15:00 GMT at Saturday.Â

Then, down in League Two – George Abbott and his Notts County team make the trip to the Coast to face Fleetwood Town – at 15:00 GMT on Saturday. They could go up to second in the league with all three points here. Â

North of the border, Alfie Dorrington and Aberdeen face Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, as they look to bounce back from their midweek defeat away to Celtic - with this game kicking off at 15:00 GMT on Sunday. Â

Over in Europe – in La Liga, Bryan Gil and Girona will host Celta Vigo on Saturday, for a 13:00 GMT kick off. Meanwhile, on Monday evening – Alejo Veliz and his RCD Espanyol make the trip to Villarreal – for a 20:00 GMT kick off, as they continue to try and get further away from the relegation zone. Â

Finally, in the Belgium Pro League – Luka Vuskovic, Alfie Devine, and KVC Westerlo are in action away to OH Leuven on Sunday, for an 18:15 GMT kick off. Devine has missed a few recent Westerlo games with injury now – so hopefully he is back for this one. Â

Good luck everyone.