Tottenham Hotspur interim head coach Ryan Mason has confirmed that Hugo Lloris will not be available for Sunday's crunch clash with Liverpool in the Premier League.
The Lilywhites captain lasted just 45 minutes of last weekend's torrid 6-1 loss at Newcastle United, conceding five goals before coming off with a hip injury.
Immediately after the game, Lloris offered a pessimistic update on his condition, and Fraser Forster stepped in for Thursday's pulsating 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
Mason did not rule out the prospect of Lloris facing Man United earlier this week, but the former France international's problem will keep him out of the trip to Anfield too.
Speaking to the media in Friday's pre-match press conference, Mason conceded that Lloris would sit out Sunday's game, although he is unsure of the condition of the rest of the squad following the rapid turnaround.
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Yves Bissouma (ankle), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee) and Emerson Royal (knee) will remain on the sidelines for a little while longer, while there have been few updates on Ryan Sessegnon's recovery from a hamstring injury too.
"Hugo won't be available Sunday. The other injuries we're assessing day by day. The lads haven't trained yet so we're going to see how they're feeling in training this afternoon and also tomorrow leading into the game," football.london quotes Mason as saying.
Without Lloris in between the sticks, Spurs were on course for another dismal defeat on Thursday evening as Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho put Man United two goals to the good in the opening 45.
However, Tottenham flicked a switch in the second half and impressively drew themselves level through Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min, who latched onto a crisp Harry Kane pass to round off the scoring on the night.
Despite not finding the back of the net himself, Kane once again caught the eye with his range of passing from a deeper role, and Mason believes that the England captain is still under-appreciated in his own country.
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"He was outstanding. This country probably doesn't appreciate how good he is as a footballer. He's incredible. I was fortune enough to come through the academy, we played together. And be on the other side now and watching as a coach it's a pleasure," Mason said on Kane.
"I've thought many times in the last couple of seasons. To watch him live, this country should appreciate we've got a real special talent. Our fans love him, we all love him here, we appreciate him at this football club.
"I certainly value loyalty and when I see a player showing loyalty, not only on the football pitch but off it as well... He's a family man, he's humble, he's hard-working and if I'm speaking to any kid in this academy and around the world he's a role model to so many people. Not just children but adults as well and we're lucky to have him here."
Tottenham travel to Anfield sitting fifth in the Premier League table, one point and two places better off than Liverpool in seventh, but they remain six points adrift of the Champions League places having played a game more than Man United.
Liverpool won the reverse fixture 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November and have avoided defeat in their last 11 meetings with Spurs, whose most recent victory at Anfield came all the way back in the 2010-11 season.
Ben Knapton
