Tottenham injury news: Spence set for Everton with a mask

Djed Spence is expected to be available for Tottenham's final Premier League game at home to Everton despite suffering a broken jaw. The injury came after a collision with Liam Delap in the 87th minute against Chelsea, and the plan is for Spence to play on in a protective mask. That matters because Spurs are still in a proper survival fight, with the Everton match still decisive.

How thin Tottenham's squad has become

This has not been a normal end to the season for Tottenham. Spence has played 43 games in all competitions, but he has started just one of the last six, which tells you how stretched the squad already is before another defensive setback. Spurs are 17th on 38 points after 36 games, so the final-day task is still live, not theoretical.

The broader picture is grim enough without dressing it up. Everton sit 12th on 49 points, and Tottenham's own recent league run is DWWDL, which is the sort of form that keeps hope around but does not remove the pressure. Spence being available, even with a mask, is the kind of small break teams lean on at this stage of a season.

Other injury calls Spurs still have to manage

Antonín Kinský was left out of the Czech Republic's latest squad before being cleared to play on Sunday, and the goalkeeper picture remains a live issue. Roberto De Zerbi said: "Vicario is available to play and I decide tomorrow. It's not difficult, the decision. Vicario is number one but we have to consider the physical condition, the moment, many things. I have a big relationship with Antonin Kinsky and with Vicario as well and there will not be any problems."

Kinský has also tried to project calm. "By the way he speaks, what you read and what you hear from him is that he believes in us and that is a big message that he gives us overall," he said. "Now we have four points from three games, there is four left and I hope and I believe that this is the right way."

Cristian Romero will miss Everton after a knee injury suffered in Tottenham's 1-0 loss at Sunderland last month. He travelled back to Argentina to watch Belgrano against River Plate for the title rather than attend the Everton game, and his absence leaves Spurs without one of their main defenders. With Tottenham's survival still on the line, the mask for Spence is only part of the story, but it is a useful one for a club running short of options.