Ange Postecoglou issues Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr Tottenham injury update for Man City

Ange Postecoglou has indicated that Richarlison is next in line to return to action out of Tottenham's large group of injured players. Spurs have been dealt some horrendous luck on the injury front in recent weeks, with key players such as James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur not expected to return to action until 2024.

Richarlison is also another player to have spent time on the sidelines recently after undergoing surgery on a groin issue. Spotted back on the Tottenham training pitch on Thursday as he steps up his rehab, Postecoglou has revealed that the Brazil international could potentially be involved in training 24 hours before the team's Premier League clash at Man City.

"Richy's probably the closest out of the ones who have been missing, so looking to get him involved in training hopefully tomorrow and then we'll see how he is as he's obviously missed a fair bit," said Postecoglou when speaking to SPURSPLAY.

"He's done his rehab really well and he feels good which is important. He's sort of the next cab off the ranks in terms of the injured guys."

One player who does look certain to miss out at the Etihad Stadium is Pape Matar Sarr. Absent last weekend against Aston Villa through injury, Postecoglou has admitted that the Senegal international is behind Richarlison in terms of his comeback at present.

"Pape's probably a little bit behind him [Richarlison], so we'll just see how he goes." said the 58-year-old. "I guess out of all the injured guys they're the two who we're hoping will be back over the next couple of weeks and the rest of them we won't see them until the new year."

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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Postecoglou was asked about Bentancur after the ankle ligament damage he sustained in last weekend's defeat at Aston Villa. A cruel injury for the player after only just returning from a nine-month layoff due to the ACL injury he picked up at Leicester City in February, the head coach has already admitted that his player is looking at getting back due to his positive mindset.

"The biggest emotion you have is for him," said the Australian. "I've only been here six months but even in that six months you see how hard they work to get back, especially him. A lot of it is a fairly lonely journey because you do the rehab on your own and you have to push yourself.

"From the moment I arrived, I think my first day I bumped into him, he was just that determined to get back. He had his own timelines in his head and he kept banging on my door about being involved. We held back because obviously with such a significant injury you want to make sure they're ready.

"He'd done everything right. He had a good international break where he got back playing for his country and he started the [Aston Villa] game so well.

"With all that context you're just gutted for him because of the person he is and what he's gone through. But that's unfortunately the challenges football sometimes throws up at you.

"He's still such a positive guy. I caught up with him yesterday and he's just determined to crack on and get back as quickly as possible. And can't wait to get him back in because you saw his quality."

Postecoglou did go on to confirm in his pre-match press conference that his player would be out for a couple of months.

"Yeah, no exact timeframes but a significant time. I guess similar type of injury, we're still getting some information, but it'll be well into early next year. A couple of months at least."

On helping Bentancur mentally, he added: "It's not just me. It's about the whole club. He spends a lot of time obviously with the medical team and the sports science staff. They've been really good to him. It start with the player himself.

"Like I said, talking to him yesterday he's such a positive guy. If it was me I'd be a hell of a lot grumpier around the place. He's got a really positive outlook.

"He knows that he's been through a tough time and now he's got to go through a shorter tough time but he also knows that, and he felt it when he was out there, that he hasn't lost anything as a footballer.

"That's the important thing. I think that's given him the incentive to be back as quickly as possible and again make an impact for us."