Tottenham's Super Eagles-eligible defender fails fitness test and will not face Crystal Palace

For the first time this season, Italy international of Nigerian descent, Destiny Udogie has been left out of Tottenham Hotspur's gameday squad. 

Before the visit to Selhurst Park, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou had named the defender in the starting lineup for nine consecutive games in the Premier League and he was a non-playing substitute for the League Cup match with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 

Postecoglou revealed in his pre-match press conference that Udogie was substituted in the last game against Fulham because he was feeling fatigue at halftime.

The Italian-Nigerian fullback underwent a fitness test on Friday and a final decision was taken not to include him in the matchday squad as he has not fully recovered. 

Udogie has been excellent in what is his first season in the Premier League, leading to a first-ever call-up to the Italian national team for the 2024 European Championship qualifiers against Malta and England this month. 

The 20-year-old provided assists in back-to-back games against Bournemouth and Burnley, and has logged 733 minutes in the Premier League.

Very experienced Wales international left-back Ben Davies, who has come off the bench to replace Udogie on four occasions, has been handed his first Premier League start this term.

A victory at Selhurst Park tonight would take Tottenham Hotspur five points ahead of their nearest rivals until at least Saturday.
 

Igho Kingsley 

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com

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