Tottenham suffer fresh blow as Emerson Royal surgery may keep Brazil defender out for season

Tottenham have suffered a fresh blow after it emerged that Emerson Royal is due to have knee surgery. The right-back was unable to complete Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Morocco in their international friendly on Saturday.

Ad Reports suggest that the player will miss around six weeks, putting in doubt his chances of playing for Tottenham again this season. TransfersNagelsmann, Pochettino and more managers linked with Spurs vacancy — Paper Round11 HOURS AGO The news comes as another setback for Tottenham in their pursuit of finishing in the top four in the Premier League to secure a Champions League spot.

Spurs parted ways with manager Antonio Conte at the weekend after months of speculation that the Italian would not extend his contract this summer. After a controversial outburst to the press, chairman Daniel Levy agreed to part ways with the manager and installed Cristian Stellini as the caretaker boss.

Currently, January transfer window signing Pedro Porro is the only other senior Spurs right-back fit to play, though Japhet Tanganga has some appearances for the first team, and has operated at wing-back before. Another option would have been Djed Spence, signed from Nottingham Forest in the summer, but he has since been loaned to Ligue 1 side Rennes, and in the same window that Porro arrived, Matt Doherty was allowed to leave to join Atletico Madrid.

The defensive crisis is deepened by Ben Davies’ injury, with the left-back suffering a hamstring issue in the 3-3 draw with Southampton that led to Conte’s inflammatory comments to the press. Poch return, Nagelsmann or Enrique? Next Spurs manager runners and riders Nagelsmann, Pochettino and more managers linked with Spurs vacancy — Paper Round Conte leaves Tottenham by mutual