Destiny Udogie Injury Forces Tottenham Reshuffle Against Coventry
Tottenham have left Destiny Udogie out of the matchday squad against Coventry after the defender suffered a knee problem. It is another setback for a player who has struggled to put together a clean run physically since arriving from Udinese in 2023.
Udogie picked up the issue after 74 minutes at Old Trafford, where Spurs came away with a 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Tottenham then had nine days to get ready for Coventry, including time away in Marbella, but Roberto De Zerbi decided there was no point gambling on a player with a recent injury record.
Before kick-off, De Zerbi explained the situation clearly: “Destiny Udogie played 70 minutes, and he suffered a problem in his knee, and we didn’t take a risk.” That tells you everything. Tottenham have chosen caution this season when it comes to fitness, and in Udogie’s case that is sensible rather than conservative.
Tottenham injury concerns grow
Udogie had appeared in four of Tottenham’s first six Premier League matches, but this latest knee issue now raises the prospect of another absence. Spurs already have enough names in the treatment room without adding a first-choice full-back to the list.
Savio, Pedro Porro, Mykhailo Mudryk, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are all unavailable, while Rodrigo Bentancur misses out through suspension after his dismissal against Manchester United.
Roberto De Zerbi makes bold Spurs changes
De Zerbi has responded by reshaping the side. James Maddison makes his first competitive start since April 2025, while Tosin Adarabioyo is handed his full Premier League debut. Archie Gray starts in midfield after filling in at right-back this season, and there is a place on the bench for youngsters Luca Williams-Barnett and Callum Olusesi.
There is also a notable return among the substitutes. Dejan Kulusevski is back in the squad after more than 500 days out with a complicated patella injury that required two surgeries. For Tottenham, that is the good news. The bad news is that the injury list keeps growing, and Udogie is the latest name on it.
