Cristian Romero injury update as Tottenham boss confirms latest blow ahead of Brighton and Bournemouth

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says they must find answers after confirming defender Cristian Romero will be out of action for five weeks. The Argentinian defender was forced off in the 2-1 win against Everton last weekend and even though the initial diagnosis was positive, Postecoglou says it's turned out to be worse than initially anticipated. 

He told reporters ahead of the visit to the Amex on Thursday night: "It’s not so great with Romero, he had a scan the other day, and he’s got a hamstring strain. So we’re looking at probably four weeks, five weeks for him." 

Spurs have Bournemouth on New Year's Eve and Romero will miss that and games against Manchester United and Brentford in January.

The north London club are already without Micky van de Ven, who has been injured since November 6 and is not expected back till mid-January at the earliest. James Maddison who arrived from Leicester and instantly provided a spike is also out till the new year with an ankle injury. 

Spurs might have to respond in the transfer market if they are to keep their hopes of finishing in the top four alive with Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr all leaving for the Asian Cup and AFCON next month. 

Asked when he expected the trio to leave, manager Postecoglou said: "It won't affect the New Year's Eve game. We're just in dialogue now with the three lads. Bissouma will leave a bit earlier, he is suspended. Pape and Sonny, it will be sometime in early January but we haven't got official confirmation yet."

Tottenham have won eight of the 12 top-flight meetings against the Seagulls and can beat them in three consecutive league fixtures for the first time tomorrow night.