Roberto De Zerbi has said that Guglielmo Vicario is not fit enough for a return to action ahead of Tottenham’s crunch relegation clash at home to Leeds on Monday night.
Vicario has not played for Spurs since the end of March, after undergoing hernia surgery over the international break.
The club said in a statement that they had timed the surgery in order to minimise the number of games Vicario would miss.
But the Italian shot-stopper has yet to play a single minute under De Zerbi, despite the Spurs boss having initially insisted that he expected to have Vicario back in training three weeks ago.
Asked about Vicario’s fitness, De Zerbi replied: “No, Vicario is not ready yet.
“I don’t know what the plan would be.
”He is suffering because he would like to help his team-mates but he is not available.”
Richarlison, meanwhile, filled in for the injured Dominic Solanke last weekend against Aston Villa and scored what turned out to be the decisive goal.
The Brazilian, however, looked to be in some discomfort as he was replaced in the 89th minute and did not train with the squad on Wednesday ahead of the Leeds game.
The former Brighton manager also issued an update on James Maddison and Solanke, with the pair missing large chunks of the campaign - or the entire season in Maddison’s case - through injury.
Maddison has returned to matchday squads after his ACL tear but is yet to play a minute for Spurs, while Solanke is struggling with a hamstring issue.
"I'm thinking about Maddison,” De Zerbi said.
“I am watching a top, top player, [but] maybe he is not ready to play yet.
“Solanke is improving, I don't know [whether he will be fit] for this game. We hope for the next game at Stamford Bridge."
