Tottenham handed a major injury blow ahead of Champions League return

The north Londoners have suffered an unwelcome setback ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to AC Milan.

A knee injury has ruled Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur out of the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old Uruguay international limped off the pitch in the second half of Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League defeat to Leicester City following a collision with Nampalys Mendy.

On Monday, Tottenham announced Bentancur has a ‘ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee’. The player will undergo surgery before starting his rehabilitation.

Bentancur, who scored the game’s first goal at the King Power last weekend, has made 26 appearances in all competitions. He has provided six goals and two assists for Tottenham.

The former Juventus man’s lay-off leaves Antonio Conte’s side short of cover in midfield. They recently lost Yves Bissouma, who underwent an ankle operation on Friday.

For Tuesday’s first leg against AC Milan in the Champions League last 16, Spurs will also be without the suspended Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

We can confirm that Rodrigo Bentancur has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be out of action for the remainder of the campaign.

He will undergo surgery before beginning his rehabilitation with our medical staff.

We're all behind you, Rodrigo 💙 pic.twitter.com/Jfk6oUScHm

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 13, 2023