Mauricio Pochettino has backed Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to come back strong after the latest setback in his recovery from injury.
The club confirmed earlier this week that the Frenchman had undergone surgery on his injured arm, after dislocating his elbow in the 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
As a result, his return is likely to be delayed, with Lloris now not expected back in training until January at the earliest.
The club statement read: "Following further clinical testing and examination, Hugo Lloris has now undergone surgery on his left elbow.
"The France goalkeeper dislocated his elbow and sustained ligament damage during our Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
"Surgery was advised after further reviews by specialists found the elbow remained unstable."
It had initially been hoped that Lloris could be back playing by January, and although the club statement concluded that he remains on course to return to training "in the early part of next year", there is no confirmed timeframe at present for his return, with Spurs' assistant manager Jesus Perez admitting that the Frenchman's recovery may take a little longer.
"They went to another opinion after a few weeks, about just how it was healing and for our keeper they needed to repair something in his elbow and that’s why it may take a little bit longer. But we don’t yet," said Perez.
But Pochettino has backed the Spurs captain to bounce back from the setback, with the Tottenham boss hailing the character of the 32-year-old.
“I didn't see him in the last week because I wasn't here,” he said.
“But he is strong, he is very mature, he's a man. Of course he is suffering now a little bit but he is going to come strong again. It's not a problem.”
In his absence, Spurs have turned to Paulo Gazzaniga, who has impressed in recent weeks with a number of fine saves against Liverpool, Everton and Red Star Belgrade.
Spurs have also re-signed experienced goalkeeper Michel Vorm, who was released by the club in the summer.
