Tottenham are reportedly facing a third postponement and the prospect of a hugely-chaotic fixture schedule as they grapple with a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
Spurs saw their Europa Conference League clash with Rennes, which was due to be played on Thursday night, shelved on Wednesday with Sunday's Premier League encounter against Brighton soon following suit.
Manager Antonio Conte disclosed earlier this week his side have been hit hard by a total of 13 positive tests, eight of which were returned by players and five by members of his coaching staff.
Tottenham are due to return to action next Thursday when they travel to Leicester, but the extent of the crisis at the club's Hotspur Way training ground means there are serious doubts surrounding the fixture.
Join the debate! Should Spurs seek a postponement for the Leicester fixture? Have your say in the comments here.
Read more: The new Covid measures football fans must now take to attend matches
The Athletic reports there is every possibility Spurs could find themselves lodging another appeal with the Premier League board for their trip to the King Power to be postponed, just as they did ahead of the Brighton game.
While some players will return to action in time to face the Foxes, the majority of the eight who have tested positive will still be ineligible come Thursday.
This is because they must isolate for 10 days after testing positive for Covid-19 or from when they first showed symptoms of the virus.
Further, with many of Conte's assistants also out of action, questions would be raised of the sporting integrity of the fixture should it go ahead.
Spurs' training ground is closed until Monday, hampering their preparations, while there is the possibility of more positive tests in the meantime.
Leicester have also been struck by coronavirus over the last week, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman believed to be among the players ruled out with the virus.
It is looking increasingly unlikely the fixture will proceed, meaning Tottenham's next game may not be until 19 December, when they host Liverpool.
In the meantime, players who have not tested positive have been put on virtual training programmes similar to those used in the first lockdown in spring 2020 until the first-team area of the training ground reopens.
Prior to their coronavirus outbreak, Tottenham saw their Premier League clash with Burnley, scheduled for late November, called off due to snow, so they will face heavy fixture congestion in the second half of the season.
With up to three top-flight fixtures and a continental game to be rescheduled, Conte will need to manage his squad expertly to avoid overburdening his players.
