Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie misses Coventry win with another knee injury

Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie was ruled out of Monday’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Coventry City after suffering another knee problem.

The Nigerian-born Italy international was not included in the Tottenham squad, despite having had nine days to recover since the club’s previous match. Tosin Adarabioyo and Dominic Solanke both started for the hosts, while Callum Olusesi was among the substitutes.

Udogie’s latest absence comes two weeks after he was forced to deal with an injury sustained during Tottenham’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The 23-year-old played 74 minutes in that match and has not yet fully recovered.

Tottenham spent much of their nine-day break in Marbella, Spain, but manager Roberto De Zerbi decided against taking a risk with Udogie, who has experienced a succession of fitness problems since joining the club.

“Destiny Udogie played 70 minutes, and he suffered a problem in his knee, and we didn’t take a risk,” De Zerbi told Sky Sports before kick-off.

Udogie had played in four of Tottenham’s first six Premier League matches but now appears set for another spell on the sidelines.

De Zerbi made several changes against Coventry, including handing James Maddison his first competitive start since April 2025. Adarabioyo made his full Premier League debut, while Archie Gray started in midfield after filling in at right-back earlier in the season.

Adarabioyo occupied the right-back position against Coventry, with Luca Williams-Barnett and Olusesi named among the substitutes.

Udogie’s injury history has included multiple knee problems and muscle complaints since his move from Udinese of Italy to Tottenham in 2023. Some months ago, he was also confronted at gunpoint on the street by an aggrieved agent.

Coventry introduced Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka from the bench in the 59th minute, but the Nigeria internationals could not prevent defeat. Their efforts were not enough to stop Coventry from slipping behind Tottenham on goal difference.