TOTTENHAM have been rocked by the news Yves Bissouma has sustained a stress fracture on his left ankle and will undergo surgery.
The Mali midfielder, who joined from Brighton for £25million in the summer, will go under the knife tomorrow.
Yves Bissouma is set to undergo surgery on his ankleRex
In a statement, Spurs said: “A timeframe for his return will be determined after surgery. He will begin rehabilitation with our medical staff as soon as possible.”
A stress fracture is sustained over time rather than a specific incident.
It leaves boss Antonio Conte with a midfield selection headache ahead of the trip to AC Milan on Tuesday in the last 16 of the Champions League, given Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg is suspended.
England Under-21 starlet Oliver Skipp is likely to step up to play in the San Siro alongside Rodrigo Bentancur.
It is the second bit of bad injury news for Spurs this week, following the revelation that Hugo Lloris will be out for five to seven weeks with a knee injury.
Fraser Forster will deputise at the King Power for the stricken Frenchman, as well as the two upcoming last-16 ties in the Champions League against AC Milan.
The 34-year-old joined Spurs on a free transfer from Southampton in the summer.
He made his debut in November’s 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the League Cup, and looked shaky at Brentford on Boxing Day.
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But he has kept back-to-back clean sheets in the FA Cup this year and does have six England caps to his name.
Conte and his staff have complete faith in England international Forster, given his “great Premier League experience and good Champions League experience”.
Spurs assistant Cristian Stellini said: “Fraser is a very good man. His behaviour this season was perfect.
“Every day he pushes himself to train really hard and with this behaviour he pushes Hugo to train very hard.
“Physically, he [Fraser] is a keeper perfect for the Premier League style, for the type of game we are going to play in the Premier League, he uses both feet when he plays with the ball.
“So, it will be interesting to see him for some weeks to play with us.
“We completely trust in him.”