Alasdair Gold: Tottenham 24-year-old playing and training with injury, has been in a ‘hell of a lot of pain’

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Football London reporter Alasdair Gold has told the Gold and Guest Podcast that Joe Rodon has been playing and training with cracked ribs for the last six weeks. The injury occurred in training, at the beginning of January.

Rodon, 24, has been watching from the bench over the last few weeks – with Antonio Conte using him three times since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo. He has played against NS Mura, Morecambe and Brighton in the FA Cup.

Now, it appears the Wales international has been playing with an injury. Alasdair Gold reports that he sustained a cracked rib, and fractured ligament next to it in a training ground collision at Tottenham in January.

It is believed that then, against Morecambe, Rodon suffered another cracked rib – but on the other side of his body. It could explain why Rodon has been overlooked – despite the poor defensive form of Spurs of late.

“About six weeks ago, in an accidental collision in training, he cracked a rib and fractured cartilage alongside it. He was in a lot of pain. It was at a time when Romero was out, they really needed him,” Gold said on Rodon.

“He came in against Morecambe. In the first few minutes, he went up for an aerial challenge with their big striker. It cracked a rib on the other side. But he has made himself available, but he has been in a hell of a lot of pain.”

Gold on Rodon: Could it be a reason for Conte avoiding Tottenham man?

Reports from Gold on Football London’s website on Monday claimed that that senior players at the club are ‘pushing’ Conte to play Rodon more. Davinson Sanchez was “shocking” on Sunday, according to Jermaine Jenas.

But the injury might be the reason Conte has not started Rodon in the last few weeks, with Eric Dier missing due a to groin issue. Conte has spoken in the past of Rodon being Dier’s back-up – and not cover on the right or left.

With Dier expected to be back for this weekend’s clash against Premier League champions Manchester City, Rodon might have missed his chance. It might be more to do with his ribs, than Conte overlooking him.