Tottenham consider recalling player from loan to cover injury crisis

With Tottenham Hotspur’s injury crisis in the centre-back position continuing, Ashley Phillips could be recalled from his loan move sooner than he would have expected.

Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are injured again

Excitement was building ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea, as the lineups revealed the surprising news that Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven had returned from injury (Tottenham Hotspur). But their comebacks were short-lived, with neither defender able to play the full 90 minutes.

While Ange Postecoglou has not yet commented on when his defensive duo are likely to return, according to sources in Argentina, Romero will be sidelined for six weeks with a quad injury, while van de Ven is set to be out for around three weeks with another hamstring injury (Standard).

With Ben Davies also suffering from a hamstring injury, Archie Gray is expected to fill in at centre-back, a position he occupied during pre-season, but Spurs do have the option to recall a promising defender from his loan move when the January transfer window opens.

Ashley Phillips could have his loan move terminated by Spurs

According to The Standard, Tottenham are considering recalling Ashley Phillips from his loan at Stoke City, as they search for someone to partner Radu Dragusin in the heart of their defence.

Thanks to a release clause in the deal, Tottenham have the option to end Phillips’ loan move early. While Postecoglou has previously said part of the reason Spurs did not attempt to sign another centre-back in the summer was so they would not hinder the development of Phillips and Luka Vuskovic, who will officially join the club next summer.

Tottenham will have to decide whether recalling Phillips will have adverse effects on his growth, as he will not be allowed to represent another club this season if he plays for Tottenham.

Ashley Phillips has a role to play at Tottenham

Phillips has made 10 starts in the Championship this season, while Stoke City have played 20 matches, so it is not like he is playing every week anyway. If he returns to Tottenham, he will probably start at least a few games, and what better stage is there to test himself on than the Premier League?

While signing another centre-back would be the ideal scenario for Spurs, this would bring about problems of its own once all Tottenham’s defenders return from injury and if they do make a new permanent signing, it is better to wait until Davies leaves the club next summer.

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