Toby Alderweireld admits Jan Vertonghen injury is “massive” for Tottenham

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The Spurs centre-back says his side will miss his experienced compatriot.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld has told the club’s official website that Jan Vertonghen’s injury absence is “massive” for the team.

Vertonghen was ruled out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury earlier this week, a spell which will see him miss numerous important Premier League and Europa League fixtures.

The 29-year-old has missed just a single league clash thus far this season, serving as an integral part alongside Alderweireld of a defence which has conceded a league low of 14 goals from 21 matches.

Vertonghen’s teammate for club and country, Alderweireld, has admitted that is a big blow to lose his partner, but insisted that Spurs have good enough strength in depth to cope.

The 27-year-old told the Spurs website: “Of course, it’s massive for us – Jan is a very important player but unfortunately he is injured now so we have to keep it to one side and the guys who are going to play there now have to be ready and have to do everything to get his quality and his performances from the last weeks because he’s been brilliant.

“We have to cope as a team and the guy who’s coming in for Jan has to bring his level, but we have a very good squad. Not only the 11 who are always playing – even the guys who come in always make a difference so that’s important, to have a good squad, and I’m very confident in whoever is going to play there.”

“You don’t have to be very smart to know that he’s sad about it but I think he’s put the switch on now (in his head) and said ‘okay, I have to be back as quickly as possible’ so he’s training hard to come back. I feel bad for Jan but now as a team we have to help and make sure we fill that spot in.”

It seems likely that Kevin Wimmer will be the one to step up in Vertonghen’s absence, just as he did to large success in the latter period of last season.

Spurs fans who were encouraged by what they saw from the Austrian then will be hoping for more of the same over the next six weeks or so – any hopes they have of a title challenge will likely depend on it.