Tottenham star stretched off moments after coming on as Thomas Frank handed injury worry

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma was substituted with an injury just moments into his first appearance of the season on Sunday night. The 29-year-old had missed the beginning of Spurs' campaign with a knee problem.

He had, however, regained sufficient fitness to earn a call-up for Mali during this international break, linking up for their second World Cup qualifying match of the fortnight against Madagascar. Bissouma came on at the Stade Modibo Keita in the 66th minute but reports from the 4-1 triumph suggest the midfielder was almost instantly hurt following a tackle with an opposing player when the ball initially came his way.

The Tottenham player was reportedly unable to leave the pitch under his own steam and needed a stretcher to carry him off. Spurs now face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury.

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Bissouma's knee problem had ruined any prospects of a departure from Spurs this summer. The former Brighton player's deal with the north London club is now entering its final nine months and Spurs were keen to allow him to leave, with a switch to Turkey and other Premier League clubs suggested.

But nothing materialised for the midfielder, who was omitted from the UEFA Super Cup squad at the beginning of the campaign by his new manager Thomas Frank due to persistent lateness. Bissouma was also left out of the Champions League squad for the league phase of the tournament.

Last month following the window's closure, Frank said: "There are no hard feelings at all. Not before, not now, not at all. Train well and everyone has an opportunity.

"He has just started to run outside, so he is not part of the group but everything I've seen when I've said hello to him and every day with the players, he seems good."

Now, Bissouma appears to be dealing with another injury. If it's an ankle problem as suggested by a social media report after the match, then it is a repeat issue for the the Mali international, having missed a significant part of his first season at the club due to a stress fracture in his left ankle in February 2023 which required surgery.

Tottenham are back in action after the international break when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, 19 October (2pm kick-off). Ahead of that game, Spurs sit in third place in the table, two point behind leaders Arsenal.

Following the game against Villa, Spurs take on Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday (8pm kick-off).

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