Tottenham: Cristian Romero is a leader, Spurs boss Thomas Frank says

Also missing for the next four to five weeks will be defender Destiny Udogie, with Frank confirming the Italian, 23, has suffered hamstring damage.

His absence adds to Tottenham‘s injury woes, with only 11 fit senior players available for their game against Manchester City at the start of this month.

Asked whether Dejan Kulusevski, who has been out with a knee injury since May, is likely to play this season, Frank said: “I don’t know.

“[He] has got another appointment at the end of this week where we will know more, but of course if he’s out of the Champions League squad it’s a sign it is not tomorrow [that he will return].”

Following a seven-game winless run in the Premier League, Spurs are 15th in the table, six points above the drop zone.

Asked if he viewed the club as being in a relegation fight, Frank told reporters there was “no doubt we are desperate to win games, desperate”.

“Of course, we haven’t won enough,” he said. “If you are not desperate you do not understand the situation you are in.”