Rodrigo Bentancur not expected to return until November at the earliest as Tottenham midfielder has surgery on ACL injury

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is not expected to return until NOVEMBER at the earliest as he begins his rehab on his ACL injury.

The Uruguay international sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during Spurs' 4-1 defeat at Leicester on February 11.

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His club confirmed the injury two days after, saying they expected Bentancur to be out for the remainder of the season.

However, are now reporting that the 25-year-old won't be back in action for another nine months at the earliest after he had surgery earlier this week.

Bentancur, who joined Spurs from Juventus last summer, has been a key player for Antonio Conte's men this term.

He has already made 44 appearances for the north London club, scoring six goals and providing six assists.

Bentancur's absence is a huge setback in Spurs' fight for a top four finish, with fifth-placed Newcastle just a point behind them and possessing a game in hand on Conte's men.

With Yves Bissouma also injured and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg suspended for their Champions League first leg clash at AC Milan, Conte was forced to field Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr in midfield.

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However, the pair failed to impress as Spurs stumbled to a 1-0 defeat at the San Siro.

Bentancur's injury diagnosis comes during a hectic fixture schedule with Spurs playing six matches in the space of 20 days.

Their Premier League clash at home to Chelsea on Sunday is followed by a trip to Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Wednesday.

They then go to Wolves on March 4 before facing Milan on March 8. Spurs then take on Nottingham Forest on March 11 before travelling to Southampton on March 18.

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