Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Tottenham will need to look for reinforcements in the January transfer window as their injury crisis deepens.
Spurs could face Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday without a fit centre-back after Ben Davies suffered a setback in training.
Davies was one of three defenders missing from the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven also sidelined, but their problems were compounded when Radu Dragusin picked up an ankle problem in the 87th minute limped.
To make matters worse, Djed Spence, who started that game as right back, was sent off in injury time.
Given the size of their injury list, which also includes first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Postecoglou admitted they may have to look to the transfer window to resolve some of the issues.
“We are walking a fine line,” Postecoglou said at his pre-match press conference. 'There have always been problems at different times, but not to this extent.
“I think we've pretty much consistently had 10 first-team players unavailable for a significant stretch of games. Definitely a first for me. We're in a tough situation and have been for some time.
“We have been working on it for a while and we keep our fingers crossed that there will be no more problems.
“[Transfer policy] can be disciplined, but we need a clear picture of where we stand. There is a need for reinforcement if possible. It's not an easy time to do that in this window.
“The club is working hard behind the scenes to help the players we have, who give everything in every game to help us get through.
“We need to help some of these guys because there are at least two or three who have long-term injuries, so we'll talk about that briefly. Others come back and need time to get up to speed. We are working hard to get reinforcements.”
Against Forest, Spurs averaged more than 65% possession (70.4%) for the seventh time this season in the Premier League, although they lost five of those games (one won, one drawn).
Their defeat at the City Ground was their ninth in the Premier League this season, leaving them 11th in the table and ten points behind rivals Arsenal in fourth.
They now face Wolves at home, conceding 31 goals in the league in 2024, the most they have conceded in a single calendar year since 2007 when they conceded 34.
And with the EFL Cup semi-final against Liverpool in January, Postecoglou insists he still feels support from the fans despite the mounting pressure.
“They love their football club, they care about their football club and they want their football club to succeed,” he added. 'They make those feelings and emotions visible.
“I've felt nothing but support since I've been here. I still feel like that support is there.
“I will continue to do what I believe is right to ensure success for this football club, that will not change.”
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