Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Kevin Danso suffered a hamstring injury in the weekend’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.
The Austria international came through the full 90 minutes of that four-goal stalemate, where Postecoglou’s men fought back from two goals down to hold the Cherries in front of their own fans, but he did not appear entirely comfortable at full time.
Reports later emerged claiming that Danso had hurt his hamstring in North London and would be set for a spell on the sidelines, rumours that Postecoglou confirmed on Wednesday afternoon when speaking to the media ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second leg with AZ Alkmaar.
The Australian did not disclose the severity of Danso’s problem, though, saying: “Kevin got a hamstring injury in the last game so he’s out. Ben [Davies] is back in. So that’s the only change from the weekend. Everyone else got through the game.”
Danso has seamlessly slotted into the Spurs backline since joining on loan from Lens during the January transfer window, starting seven games across the Premier League, Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Cup.
The 26-year-old was on the field for the entirety of Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar in last week’s first-leg defeat, where Postecoglou’s side succumbed to an unfortunate Lucas Bergvall own goal.
How can Tottenham replace injured Danso?
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As frustrating as Danso’s injury is for him, Postecoglou and Spurs supporters – who have no inkling of when he might return – his problem might allow the Tottenham boss to revert to his favoured pairing.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are both back involved again following respective thigh injuries, and the former started in defence alongside Danso during the stalemate with Bournemouth, where Van de Ven replaced him for the final half-hour.
As both players came through that appearance unscathed, there is seemingly a good chance that Postecoglou could pair them up for the second leg, although he has alternatives should he feel the need to err on the side of caution.
Ben Davies‘s return offers Postecoglou another solution at the back, while Archie Gray has also earned plaudits for his displays in a central role this season, and the teenager would join Marcus Rashford in an exclusive Europa League club if he plays on Thursday.
Danso is one of four Tottenham players on the treatment table alongside Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Radu Dragusin (ACL) and Richarlison (calf), while Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended for the second leg on account of picking up three yellow cards in the Europa League.
Following Thursday’s visit of AZ, Tottenham’s final game before the international break sees them travel to Fulham for a Premier League London derby on Sunday afternoon.
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