After struggling to adapt to life in North London, the Brazil international has blossomed under Postecoglou with 10 Premier League goals from 22 matches in the 2023-24 campaign.
Nine of Richarlison’s strikes have come in 10 fixtures since December 10 during an exceptional run in front of goal, although he has drawn blanks in both of Spurs’ last two matches with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Spurs are back in action for the first time in a fortnight on Saturday, hosting Crystal Palace in a Premier League London derby following the postponement of their clash with fellow capital outfit and EFL Cup runners-up Chelsea.
Speaking to Tottenham’s media channels on Friday, Postecoglou revealed that Richarlison has suffered a knee issue since Spurs’ last fixture, and the ex-Everton man will not be available for the next couple of games at leas
“Richy picked up a bit of a knee injury so he’s going to be missing for two to three weeks,” Postecoglou said, before also issuing an update on Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro after both full-backs missed the loss to Wolves two weekends ago.
Udogie had picked up a knock to the knee against Brighton on February 10, while Porro was absent with a strain injury, and only the former is in with a chance of facing Oliver Glasner’s team this weekend.
“In terms of players coming back in, Destiny has a chance for tomorrow, he trained so we just need to see how he pulls up. Pedro, probably another week away,” the Australian added.
Richarlison is not the only Tottenham player to suffer a cruel injury blow since the Lilywhites’ last senior fixture, as Ryan Sessegnon announced earlier this week that he was forced to undergo a second operation on a hamstring issue in the space of a year.
The former Fulham starlet had already gone under the knife in the summer to address a previous concern, and he made his first appearance of the season in the FA Cup win over Burnley on January 5 before suffering a setback.
Sessegnon was fit enough to start for the Under-21s against West Ham United in a Premier League 2 fixture on February 17, but he came off in the first half with an injury to his other hamstring, and his latest surgery could rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
Postecoglou sympathised with Sessegnon over receiving no “reward” for his hard work in rehabilitation, saying in his press conference: “Sess is a tough one, it’s through no fault of his own, worked hard to come back.
“It’s always challenging when it happens as series of events and he hasn’t had any reward for all his hard work of rehab in terms of getting out there to play. He will get the support he needs, he’s had surgery, he’s a positive guy and he’s been through this before so hopefully that helps.”
Sessegnon, Richarlison and Porro are joined in the medical bay by Fraser Forster (foot) and Manor Solomon (knee), the latter of whom is still not close to returning to team training following a recent setback.
Tottenham return to top-flight action sat fifth in the Premier League table, five points behind Aston Villa in the final Champions League spot but with a game in hand on the Lions.
