'Perfect' Forster backed to fill void left by injured Lloris at Tottenham

By Sports Desk February 09, 2023

Fraser Forster can be a "perfect" replacement for Hugo Lloris during his absence with a knee injury, believes Tottenham assistant Cristian Stellini.

The former France international suffered the blow in his side's win over Manchester City and is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines.

With manager Antonio Conte returning to work following his recovery from surgery, assistant Stellini will hand back over a squad lacking its first-choice goalkeeper.

But in ex-England shot stopper Forster, the Italian feels his compatriot will have an ideal understudy raring to go between the posts.

"We are all disappointed about Hugo" he said. "But I like Fraser. His behaviour this season has been perfect.

"He trained so hard and in this he also pushed Hugo to train hard.

"We mustn't forget that we have men before we have players and I like Fraser.

"Physically he's perfect for the Premier League and the style we have. He can also use both feet and it will be interesting to see him for the next few weeks."

Lloris has started 27 of Spurs' 31 games this season, while also featuring six times for France in their run to the World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina.

The ex-Lyon keeper, who is now into his 11th season with Tottenham, called time on his international career last month.

He has made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, which is more than any other goalkeeper from clubs across Europe's top five leagues.

Academy players Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman are the other two goalkeepers available to Conte.

Spurs have at least nine games to play before the end of March, including a two-legged Champions League last-16 tie with Milan.

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    What's expected?

    City have won just three of their last 10 Premier League games against Tottenham (D2 L5) and are looking to win consecutive league meetings with them for the first time since April 2019.

    Yet despite that indifferent form against Spurs, City are still made the big favourites by Opta's supercomputer, which ranks their chances of victory at 59.5%.

    Spurs' win probability comes in at 20.2%, while the draw is at 20.3%.

     

    City's form has seen them drop off when it comes to the Opta supercomputer's forecast for the season, with Liverpool now the favourites to win the title (60.2%).

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    Saturday's clash also sees two of the league's top three scoring teams this season go head-to-head. Spurs (23) have netted the most goals in the top tier, with City (22) joint-second alongside Brentford.

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    Road rage

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    Postecoglou promised Spurs fans a trophy this season, and their defeat of City in the EFL Cup was a big scalp, but in the league they have lost three of their last six games and are in 10th, though they are only three points off the top six.

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Manchester City - Erling Haaland

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    No player has created more chances either overall (30) or from open play (25) in the Premier League this season than Kulusevski.

    His pace and skill on the counter could be a real asset against City's high line.

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