Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Speaking to the media ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League derby against West Ham United on Sunday, Antonio Conte confirms that Japhet Tanganga will undergo a surgery to his knee which will now keep him out of the remainder of the 2021/22 season.
The statement revealed that the 22-year-old had to have surgery on his injury and he will now have to begin his recovery before his return.
Tanganga, 22, has been out of action since a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on January 24, in which he suffered a knee injury.(image: Getty)
Tanganga had been battling for a spot in Antonio Conte’s regular XI, playing in the back three and as a right wing-back.
Tanganga has made a total of 19 appearances this season with 11 of those coming in the Premier League. (Getty Images)
The London born defender hasn’t secured place in Conte’s regular XI but has stepped up massively to help the Italian when he had to deal with various problems, including in the absence of the likes of Eric Dier and Cristian Romero and could be a blow for Spurs in the coming weeks considering their depths, if any further injuries do arise.
Antonio Conte still hopeful about Eric Dier’s Qatar chance.
Antonio Conte believes Eric Dier still has a “great possibility” of going to the World Cup with England despite missing out on the Three Lions squad for their upcoming friendlies.
Eric Dier is catching the eye since his return from injury.(image: Getty image)
“Honestly I hope for the players to receive this call up,” said the Italian in his pre-match press conference.
“He’s working very hard and in this moment he’s one of the best defenders in the league. He has also big space to improve his performance and his quality and to become a stronger and stronger player.
Eric Dier of England during the UEFA Nations league match between Belgium v England (image: Getty Images)
“In the past, I had the chance to coach the national team and I understand that sometimes you have a plan. At the moment, Southgate is preparing and he has a plan to prepare a squad for the World Cup in December.
“He knows Eric very well and he has not to discover Eric because he was previously in the national team. I’m sure if Eric continues to play this way, he has a great possibility to go to the World Cup because, I repeat, he’s one of the best defenders in this league.”
Dier’s next chance of making the England squad will come at the end of the season when they take part in the UEFA Nations League.
Starting off with away games against Hungary and Germany, the Three Lions will then take on Italy and Hungary at Molineux.