Tottenham's Covid outbreak has caused some disruption to Antonio Conte's season in north London.
Spurs closed the first team area at Hotspur Way on Wednesday due to the outbreak, meaning both Thursday's fixture against Rennes and Sunday's game against Brighton were both called off.
The Lilywhites had already had a match postponed this season, with their game against Burnley still in need of rescheduling, due to the bad weather.
The available Tottenham players had returned to training with Conte, ahead of the game against Leicester on Thursday, but football.london understands that the entire U23 squad were sent home on Monday, due to more Covid cases - highlighting the outbreak isn't completely over.
football.london understands that the game against Leicester is one Spurs are hoping they will be able to play, with the two sides currently a place apart in the Premier League table, although the Lilywhites are three points ahead and have two games in hand.
The break is likely to have been tough for those with the virus but could it have also helped Tottenham in any way? football.london takes a look at how it may have benefited and hindered them.
New players for rescheduled games
Of course, having to reschedule games because of Covid is not ideal for any club and the most important thing is that the players all return in full health.
However, now that the games are having to be rescheduled, there could be a positive light seen amongst the darkness. With Tottenham's fixture schedule packed until at least the end of the year, it is most likely that the games will be played in 2022.
The January transfer window opens at the start of next year and it is likely that Fabio Paratici will be looking to do some business during the window, although it remains to be seen what incomings and outgoings will actually be completed.
If Spurs do welcome any new players, they could be part of the team before these postponed matches are played, giving Tottenham a better chance at claiming maximum points from both ties.
Negative Covid testers
Everyone is hoping that Conte's players who tested positive aren't suffering and are able to return to training after their isolation.
However, those who did return to training and still are testing negative were still sent home, which would've been a good time to continue their work from home, but also rest.
Any first-team players who haven't caught the virus and have featured in multiple games this season may have benefitted from the break.
It will have also given them a chance to just have a pause from the games which were being played every few days, although that does also come with its negatives.
Break in momentum
This break comes with its negatives as Tottenham seemed to slowly be getting used to life under their new boss and the performances were indicating this.
Conte has already led his side to a draw and three wins in the Premier League and would've wanted to continue working with his new squad, especially with the packed run of fixtures scheduled for Spurs.
Although the players being sent home gives them a rest, the Covid outbreak puts a pause on any momentum the players and the Italian had built up and means they haven't been able to continue work as a group.
Fixture pile-up
The inevitable problem with postponed games is the fixture pile-up it causes.
With the Lilywhites still in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and potentially Europa Conference League, there are already so many games to play alongside their league games.
With two league games needing to be rescheduled and still uncertainty about their stance in the European competition, it won't be an easy task for the Spurs side.
Tottenham have been playing games every few days with all the competitions they are in and this fixture pile-up won't help that problem.
Recovery time
As many have seen in their own lives, Covid can affect people in different ways and recovery can take differing amounts of time, which will be no different for the Tottenham players.
Fortunately, no cases caused hospitalisation, but that doesn't mean that none of the players have suffered with the virus.
With various symptoms of various severities causing people issues, it will be a waiting game to see what effect Covid has had on individuals.
There is hope that everyone returns to training and is 100 per cent fit and healthy but if this isn't the case, Conte could be without some of his players for a while longer.
January transfer window preparation
The next transfer window is just a matter of weeks away and although these rescheduled fixtures could now feature some new players, if any are bought, it doesn't help the Italian's work with his current players.
December was set to be a vital month for Conte to work with his current squad members to figure out their best positions, his strongest XI and, most importantly, who he wants to see make a move away from N17.
The likes of Harry Winks, Dele Alli and Matt Doherty have all struggled to find match minutes or form this season and, along with a number of other players, could be included in Tottenham's outgoings.
However, there is no better way for the 52-year-old to assess his current squad players than in-person training and in a game situation.
With both of these having to pause, it leaves Conte even less time to work with his current side to figure out what business needs to be done in January.
All the club can hope for is that when their players all return, there is no further Covid outbreak and Tottenham can get back to playing games, and winning them.
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