Spurs Await Creative Spark as Injury List Grows

Spurs wait on creative spark as injury list bites

Tottenham finally have a point on the board. They still don’t have a goal.

A goalless draw at Nottingham Forest stopped the bleeding after 3-0 and 2-0 defeats to Brentford and Newcastle, but it also underlined a blunt truth: Roberto De Zerbi’s side are badly missing their No10s.

Conor Gallagher and Mateus Fernandes toiled at the City Ground, working hard but rarely threatening to unlock Forest. The lack of a natural creator in that pocket was obvious every time Spurs worked the ball to the edge of the box and ran out of ideas.

There was at least one bit of relief. Savio and Destiny Udogie, both eased back into the starting XI, were withdrawn on the hour as a precaution rather than through fresh problems. No new injuries there. Spurs can’t afford any.

Injury Updates

Here’s where the rest of the treatment room stands.

James Maddison

The headline concern remains James Maddison. Tottenham’s chief playmaker is still out after damaging his shoulder against Brentford on the opening day.

He came off the bench at the Gtech Community Stadium as he continues to build sharpness following last year’s ACL injury, but he was not involved at Forest. The positive for De Zerbi is that Maddison is now back in full team training, raising genuine hope that the wait is almost over.

Potential return date: Everton (H), September 12, 2026.

Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski is edging closer, but it’s been anything but smooth.

The Swede has returned to the training pitches after almost 18 months out with a serious patella injury. His comeback is being handled with extreme care and, as De Zerbi revealed before the Forest game, a minor setback briefly stalled his progress.

“Kulusevski started [training] with us at the beginning of the week, and then the last two days, a small, small problem, stopped [him from training],” the Spurs boss said. “But I think he’s in a good way. It’s going very well. I already said the medical staff is very high level.

“We can be positive with him. I’m looking forward to having Deki in the squad.”

For now, there is still no firm date on when he will actually be back in a matchday squad.

Potential return date: Unknown.

Xavi Simons

Xavi Simons is the long-haul case.

The Dutchman tore his ACL against Wolves in April last season and will not feature again this year. His absence has been brutally felt in the No10 zone, where Spurs are short of guile and goals.

He has at least remained visible around the group in a supporting role, but his influence will stay off the pitch for some time yet.

Potential return date: Early 2027.

Wilson Odobert

Wilson Odobert’s story is similar, but with a slightly brighter horizon.

The French winger also suffered an ACL tear last term, though his recovery is further advanced than Simons’s. There is growing optimism that he could pull on a Spurs shirt again before the year is out.

Potential return date: Late 2026.

Tottenham have shored things up at the back after a rocky start. The next question is whether any of these returning playmakers can arrive in time to give this season an attacking heartbeat.