Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has revealed that Rodrigo Bentancur will not be available for Sunday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
The Uruguay international returned from the World Cup with a groin injury that he picked up in their final group match with Ghana, where he only lasted 34 minutes before being taken off.
Bentancur was absent from Spurs' Boxing Day draw with Brentford, although the 26-year-old was suspended for that match anyway after picking up five Premier League yellow cards.
Conte was initially optimistic about Bentancur's chances of being available for the New Year's Day clash with Villa, but the midfielder's issue is more serious than first feared, and he is set to undergo further tests.
"Rodrigo, I think we have to wait, maybe today he is going to have an MRI to try to have an evaluation about his injury," Conte told reporters at Friday's pre-game press conference.
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"For sure tomorrow against Villa, he's not available. He had an injury in the World Cup and also the timing is more long than my expectation. This question is more for the medical department than me."
With Bentancur absent, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be joined in the middle by Yves Bissouma, who is one booking away from incurring his own one-match domestic ban.
On a brighter note, Cristian Romero is available following his successful World Cup exploits with Argentina, but Conte has warned the centre-back to expect a "difficult period" in the wake of his international success.
"Romero is back and he's available for the game against Aston Villa. From what I saw in the last few days in training session, I have seen him with great focus and great desire to come back and play for us," Conte added.
"For sure I am really happy for him and it is important to have in our team two World Cup champions. But he has to know very well that now starts the more difficult period for him because expectation is going to become high for him. For this reason he has to work even more and continue to work."
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The Tottenham boss also paid tribute to Brazil legend Pele, who died at the age of 82 on Thursday due to complications from colon cancer, and he offered his condolences to the loved ones of "one of the best players in the world".
"We are talking about one of the most important players in the world, in the story of football. I was lucky to know him," Conte said.
"Honestly I'm really sad for this, for his death. He was a person who was a popular person in football, maybe the most popular in football.
"His behaviour, he was also a person who lived without arrogance and he showed always to be a humble person despite being with me, with [Diego] Maradona, one of the best players in the world. I take this press conference to send condolences to his family from me, the players and the club."
Tottenham head into their New Year's Day clash with Villa clinging onto fourth place in the Premier League table - one point clear of Manchester United having played a game more than the Red Devils.
With Man United taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday lunchtime, Tottenham could be bumped out of the Champions League places by the time that they welcome Villa to North London.
Ben Knapton
