Thomas Frank provides clarity on Guglielmo Vicario’s absence and delivers a new double injury update for Tottenham Hotspur.

Thomas Frank has revealed that Guglielmo Vicario will return for Tottenham’s clash against Chelsea on Saturday after missing the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle. The Italian goalkeeper, who recently kept consecutive clean sheets against Monaco and Everton, was left out of the squad for the trip to the North East. While it initially appeared to be a rest decision, Frank later suggested there was a minor fitness issue, saying, “He had a smaller thing that had to be done, but he’ll be ready for Chelsea.”

Antonin Kinsky stepped in as his replacement but was at fault for Newcastle’s second goal after failing to deal with Joe Willock’s cross, allowing Nick Woltemade to head into an empty net.

Tottenham were without 12 first-team players on Wednesday night, with Wilson Odobert and Archie Gray among the absentees. Both picked up knocks in Monaco but were on the bench against Everton. Odobert is sidelined with a side strain, while Gray is facing a period out due to a calf injury. Frank said, “Odobert had a side strain unfortunately that kept him out for this game. We’ll assess him, but it looks positive for Chelsea.” On Gray, he added, “He got a contact to the calf in Monaco and probably picked up a calf sprain.”

Although Spurs have not confirmed a return date for Gray, reports suggest he could be out for about a month.

In better news, Radu Dragusin is expected to return after the international break, while Kota Takai is nearing his debut. Frank also offered optimism regarding Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke, who are progressing in their recoveries.

When asked about the mounting injury list, Frank responded, “Of course, I’d like to have everyone fit and available, but injuries are part of it. It’s up to me to find solutions. Some of them are just unlucky — contact injuries to Maddison and Bissouma, a knee problem for Destiny, and Dom mishit the ball. It’s about getting them back as quickly as possible.”