DEJAN KULUSEVSKI has been ruled out of the Europa League final after undergoing knee surgery – leaving Tottenham with a midfield crisis.
Swede Kulusevski, 25, hobbled off in the 19th minute of Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace with an injury to his right kneecap after a heavy challenge with Marc Guehi.
He went under the knife earlier today and will now miss next week’s showpiece with Manchester United in Bilbao.
It leaves boss Ange Postecoglou without his three most creative midfielders with compatriot Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison already out for the rest of the season.
Bergvall, 19, damaged his ankle ligaments in training at the end of last month.
While England star Maddison, 28, faces three months out with a knee problem picked up in the semi-final first leg win over Bodo/Glimt earlier this month.
Postecoglou will have only four fit central midfielders – Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr and Archie Gray – for his three positions in the middle of the park.
It remains to be seen how serious Kulusevski’s injury is with Postecoglou describing it only as a “knock” on Monday.
Postecoglou will give an update on Thursday at his press conference previewing Friday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
But there are fears he could miss the start of next season and is definitely out of next week’s final.
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A Spurs statement read: “We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace last weekend.
“Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today and will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately.
“We’re all with you, Deki.”
Postecoglou’s squad have been beset by injuries all season long and had a five-week period over the winter where their absentee list was in the double figures.
It has severely impacted their league campaign, which has seen them lose a record 20 games and put Postecoglou’s position in jeopardy whether they triumph in Europe or not.
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Man Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash
Spurs were boosted on Sunday by the return to action of Son Heung-min.
The Tottenham skipper had been out for a month with a foot issue.
Son, 32, came on as a 58th minute substitute in the defeat to Palace.
The South Korean is the only Spurs starter from the 2019 Champions League final still at the club.
Ben Davies, 32, was an unused sub in Madrid.
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Man Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash
