Thomas Frank could be forced into major Tottenham switch with 10 players out for Newcastle clash

Absentee issues continue to pile up for Thomas Frank as Tottenham look to bounce back from their 2-0 loss to Manchester United.

Frank is forced to pick from a threadbare squad for Tuesday’s welcome of Newcastle – live exclusively on talkSPORT 2.

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The pressure is on the Dane to turn Tottenham’s fortunes around having overseen just two wins from 16 in the league.

The nosedive in form has seen Spurs dragged into a relegation dogfight, the north London side now just six points above the dropzone following their Old Trafford defeat and West Ham’s win at Burnley.

Additionally, Frank’s side boast one of the worst home records in the Premier League this season having won just two games – against Burnley and Brentford – at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The welcome of a Newcastle side on a four-game winless run, losing the last three, is the perfect chance for Spurs to put three key points on the board, and is one they must grab with both hands.

To be Frank

Frank, though, has a major selection headache to contend with.

Not only was Cristian Romero shown a first-half red card at Old Trafford on Saturday for a foul on Casemiro, Spurs also lost Destiny Udogie to a second-half hamstring injury, and is unlikely to play again this month.

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Tuesday’s clash with the Magpies marks the start of Romero’s four-match ban, with Radu Dragusin expected to come into the starting XI to deputise for the suspended skipper with Kevin Danso also ruled out.

Fortunately for Frank, Spence is set to return having sat out recent meetings with Manchester City and United, and the England international will likely replace Archie Gray down the right.

On the opposite flank, with both Ben Davies and Udogie out, Souza, who joined from Santos last month, is set for a full debut.

The Brazilian was solid off the bench at Old Trafford, which bodes well for Frank ahead of their midweek clash.

Elsewhere, central midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall remain sidelined, so too does winger Mohammed Kudus.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are both long-term absentees owing to respective knee injuries sustained in August and May.

Frank was asked about Kulusevski and whether the Swede would play this season in Monday’s pre-match press conference, to which he replied: “I don’t know.”

Richarlison and Pedro Porro may both return to action in time for the north London Derby later this month, though the Newcastle clash comes too soon for the pair.

To three, or not to three

Frank also must decide whether to revert to a three-man backline with Joao Palhinha dropping in alongside Dragusin and Micky van de Ven or continue with a four-man defence.

In either setup, Guglielmo Vicario would start between the sticks, while Spence and Souza would feature at right and left-back, or wing back, respectively.

With a lack of options in the middle of the park, Pape Sarr and Conor Gallagher should continue in midfield.

Xavi Simons, who looks much-improved following an indifferent start to life in the capital, is expected to keep his place in attack.

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The former RB Leipzig man ranks third for key passes (21) of all Tottenham players in the Premier League this season, and his creative influence is key as Spurs look to return to winning ways.

And the Dutchman would be joined by Wilson Odobert in support of Dominic Solanke, the Frenchman sacrificed on the half hour mark following Romero’s red on Saturday.

Yves Bissouma, Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani are also options for Frank should he wish to rotate in midfield and attack.