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Tottenham midfielder Oliver Skipp ruled out for rest of the season
Tottenham midfielder Oliver Skipp will miss the rest of the club’s campaign after undergoing surgery for an ongoing groin problem.
The academy graduate recently signed a new five-year deal with the club but will now miss the crucial run-in for Antonio Conte as the Italian looks to secure Champions League football for next season.
The Lilywhites gave an update on Skipp’s condition via their official website (26 April) and expect the 21-year-old to be fit in time for preseason.
Not Ideal
Whilst it is frustrating that Skipp won’t be available for Conte during some vital games this latest update isn’t really much of a change for the maverick boss to contend with.
Skipp has been absent since early February with the problem so it’s not exactly a brand new issue for the club to contend with, although his now guaranteed absence for the rest of the season does leave Conte quite light in central midfield.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have been the preferred two-man pairing, with Skipp’s fellow academy graduates Harry Winks and Harvey White the only other realistic options available.
The new contract Skipp signed before this latest setback suggests Conte clearly has the Englishman in his long term plans, showing a lot of faith in the youngster as he must have surely been aware of the latest on his recovery.
A lot may hinge on whether Tottenham qualify for the Champions League to see what sort of recruitment is made in the transfer window, but if Skipp can get himself back in good shape over the summer there’s no reason he can’t establish himself under the new regime.
In other Tottenham news, this January arrival has been key in getting the club ticking under Conte’s system.