Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has had surgery after playing 60 minutes with a broken ankle against Manchester City on Saturday.
The 28-year-old needed treatment in the first half following a collision with City winger Savinho, but went on the play the full game as Tottenham won 4-0.
“Sometimes football gives you its highs, and sometimes it challenges you in ways you don’t expect,” Vicario wrote on social media.
“I played 60 minutes at the Etihad with a broken bone in my ankle, giving absolutely everything I had for the team. Unfortunately there was no way around this one. I needed surgery.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be able to help the team for a while.”
Spurs have not put a timescale on Vicario’s recovery and say he will be assessed by the club’s medical staff to determine when he can resume training.
The Italy keeper has missed just four matches since joining from Empoli in June 2023 – none of them in the Premier League.
Fraser Forster, 36, has deputised on all four occasions, including a Carabao Cup win at Coventry in September and Europa League ties against AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are sixth in the Premier League after Saturday’s win over champions City at Etihad Stadium.
They are seventh in the Europa League table with three wins and one defeat from their opening four games.
‘Vicario is Spurs’ most irreplaceable player’
Losing Vicario to ankle surgery just 48 hours after winning 4-0 at Manchester City broadly sums up Tottenham.
Having gone from big wins to bad defeats already this season, the supporters in north London have endured a rollercoaster of emotions.
But arguably Postecoglou’s most impressive win away at the champions is followed by losing his most irreplaceable player.
Spurs have other outstanding players, and while in most positions there are capable backups, the goalkeeper role has come under scrutiny.
There are questions whether Forster is still at Premier League level after an injury-hit season last year saw him play just once – and after a couple of shaky performances against Coventry City and Galatasaray this campaign.
Not investing in a high-calibre backup goalkeeper could cost Tottenham in a crucial month that might define their season.