Yves Bissouma set for two months out with stress fracture

Yves Bissouma is set to be sidelined for around two months as he will have surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture to his ankle.

Bissouma joined Tottenham in the summer but has largely struggled to displace the regular midfield pairing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur.

He is now expected to be absent for a large chunk of the remainder of the season with an operation planned.

A statement from Tottenham reads: "We can confirm that Yves Bissouma is to undergo surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle.

"A timeframe for his return will be determined after surgery.

"He will begin rehabilitation with our medical staff as soon as possible."

Spurs were rocked on Wednesday by the news of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris being sidelined for a similar timeframe with knee ligament damage, leaving Fraser Forster to deputise in the meantime.

Bissouma impressed at Brighton under Graham Potter to earn a move to north London, though he hasn't managed to replicate that form thus far at Spurs.

He has made 20 appearances in the Premier League, starting eight games, and came on a substitute in three Champions League group stage games. The Mali international has more recently started in the FA Cup in the win at Preston before a brief cameo in the victory over Manchester City.

The injury leaves Spurs a little lighter in midfield. Hojbjerg and Bentancur play together frequently, with Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr now the main deputies in Bissouma's absence.

The win over City boosted Spurs' Champions League hopes and they will hope to make further inroads when they visit Leicester on Saturday.