Tottenham handed another injury blow ahead of Arsenal showdown

Tottenham have been handed another injury blow ahead of their north London derby with Arsenal with Pape Matar Sarr picking up a knock on international duty.

Thomas Frank has been dealing with a lengthy injury list in north London but was able to welcome back skipper Cristian Romero in the weeks before the international break.

A trip to the Emirates looms large next Sunday in their first game back with Spurs desperate to dent Arsenal’s early title charge and pull themselves closer to the summit.

Frank’s plans for that derby clash have been dealt a blow however with Sarr forced off while playing for Senegal against Brazil in a friendly game in London.

Sarr came off early in the second-half, leaving the pitch flanked by Senegal’s medical staff.

The exact nature of the injury was not immediately clear but it will no doubt be a concern for Spurs eight days away from the derby.

Lucas Bergvall meanwhile was sent home early from Sweden duty as a result of a concussion he suffered in the defeat to Chelsea at the start of November.

The midfielder missed Tottenham’s two games heading into the break.

Archie Gray, Ben Davies and Dominic Solanke are among those hoping to return to action soon for Spurs while Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin are edging closer to full fitness after knee injuries.

James Maddison remains a long-term absentee.

Arsenal were handed their own injury concern on Saturday evening with Gabriel Magalhaes forced off in the same friendly.

The Brazil international limped off in the 64th minute of the game at the Emirates Stadium and appearing to be pointing at his right thigh during a conversation with Brazil’s medical team.

The Gunners are hoping to have Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke available.