Tottenham 'could recall teenager' from loan spell to combat defensive injury crisis

Romania international Radu Dragusin is currently Ange Postecoglou's only fit centre-back in the first-team squad after Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven picked up injuries at the weekend.

Ben Davies was already absent for Sunday's 4-2 defeat against Chelsea after he sustained a hamstring injury in the 1-0 away loss to Bournemouth.

Romero was then forced off in the 15th minute in Sunday's outing, before Van de Ven had to be withdrawn in the 79th minute.

The Argentina international only returned to the starting lineup following a toe injury, but now faces six weeks on the sidelines due to a muscular injury.

Tottenham considering Ashley Phillips recall

Like Romero, Van de Ven was making his return from injury and now faces another spell in the treatment room following his latest setback.

In the short term, Postecoglou is likely to use Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back to help cover the defensive injury crisis.

However, according to the Evening Standard, Spurs are considering whether to recall Phillips in January to bolster Postecoglou's central defensive options.

As it stands, the 19-year-old is set to spend the whole season on loan at Stoke, but Spurs have the option to activate a recall clause in the new year.

Spurs will have to take into account that Phillips would be unable to play for another club this season if he makes an appearance for Postecoglou's side.

Has Phillips been playing regularly for Stoke?

Phillips is still waiting to make his first senior appearance for Spurs after joining the club from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2023.

The centre-back spent the second half of last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, gaining valuable minutes in 20 competitive appearances.

Phillips experienced a difficult start to his loan spell at the bet365 Stadium, making just one Championship appearance up until October 26.

However, he has since established himself in the starting lineup, having started each of Stoke's last nine league matches.

Unfortunately for Phillips, he has been unable to prevent Stoke from experiencing a six-game winless run, leaving them in 18th place in the Championship table.

Written by

Ben Sully