Oliver Skipp has told Tottenham Hotspur’s website about his frustration with injury of late, after penning a new contract until the summer of 2027. Skipp has been out injured since early February with a groin issue.
Skipp, 21, returned to Tottenham last summer after starring in the middle of the park for Norwich City – playing a crucial part in their promotion to the Premier League. It saw Tottenham integrate him as a first-team player.
He has since played 28 times this season in all competitions. Following the arrival of Antonio Conte – Skipp started six of the 10 Premier League games he has been available for. Spurs won five of them, conceding just twice.
But he has now been unavailable for 12 Premier League matches in a row as Spurs push for the top four. Indeed, the initial injury he suffered has since seen him pick up an infection and other complications.
“It’s been a really frustrating one. The most difficult part of it has been the unknown. Normally, you knew a set time, but with this one it was about being patient. I’ll definitely make sure when I’m back, I’ll be right.”
Skipp on injury: Does Tottenham man start, when fit again?
The timing of the injury for Skipp could not have been worse. Picking up the problem coincided with the signing of Rodrigo Bentancur, and the Uruguay ace has since gone on to shine for Spurs in central midfield.
Now, Conte could play a three-man central midfield like he did at Inter Milan – and like he did in the 3-2 win over Leicester. But that would mean dropping one of his front three, probably Dejan Kulusevski.
So, it might be that when Skipp does finally return, he could find himself warming the bench. Spurs look likely to be in either the Champions League, or the Europa League next term, so there will be plenty of fixtures to play.
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