Tottenham manager José Mourinho has confirmed Moussa Sissoko picked up an injury at Southampton during the week, keeping him out Spurs' FA Cup visit to Middlesbrough on Sunday.
The north London side fought out a disappointing 1-1 draw with the Championship strugglers, meaning they have a replay to contend with during a busy period for the club - hardly great news for Mourinho who is battling something of an injury crisis as it stands.
Ben Davies, Danny Rose and Tanguy Ndombele remain sidelined with niggling injuries, while Hugo Lloris is still out with a dislocated elbow. To make matters infinitely worse, top scorer Harry Kane added his name to the list when he was forced off with 15 minutes remaining of Spurs' defeat on the south coast during the week with a hamstring injury that is thought to be serious.
And while it was missed by virtually everyone at the time, Mourinho has confirmed Sissoko also picked up an injury in Wednesday's match - forcing him to join the club of absentees for FA Cup duty - though the severity of the knock is yet to be disclosed.
"He's injured," Mourinho said, as quoted by Football London when asked why he was left out after the match.
"I don't know [how long he will be out for.]. I don't know but injured from the game against Southampton. A ball he had with Ward-Prowse. He had it and felt it but kept playing until the end. He's injured."
The news of Sissoko's injury prompted the press to ponder whether Harry Winks was also struggling with a knock after the England international was withdrawn just ten minutes into the second half. It was a particular concern due to his prior injury record, and Mourinho has suggested that while it factored into his thinking, it is unlikely to be serious.
"It was a tactical change but also because he had a little injury," he said. "At half-time he said he was going to try and stay on and he did and he could have stayed in the game."
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Source : 90min