Thomas Frank dealt huge Tottenham injury blow as star forced off vs Sunderland

Mohammed Kudus was forced to come off during the first half of Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Sunderland. The 25-year-old winger went to ground shortly after the 15th-minute mark, clutching the top of his left leg.

Rodrigo Bentancur was the first player to go over to Kudus, and he immediately indicated to the bench that the Ghanaian needed to come off. The former West Ham star was replaced by Randal Kolo Muani.

Kudus was able to walk off the field, but he appeared to suffer a muscular issue (adductor). Frank was left no choice but to play the Paris Saint-Germain loanee out of position on the right flank in light of Brennan Johnson's move to Crystal Palace earlier in the week.

Kudus has started all but one of the Lilywhites' matches in the Premier League this season, scoring two goals and providing six assists. Despite a shy return in the final third, Frank has previously described the Tottenham forward as one of three key players in his side.

Last month, the Dane showered Richarlison, Kudus and Xavi Simons with praise. Speaking to reporters following a dominant win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League, the Spurs boss said: "I don't think we've actually taken the handbrake off.

"Football is so beautifully simple sometimes, but also so complicated. I think a lot about the relationships, the team being in sync, players being sharp and in form all at same time helps.

"Three players I would like to mention of course. Richy is probably in, not in his best form ever maybe, but in a very good place and also physically. Mo Kudus is, after the great start to the season, a little dip and a minor injury, back in full energy, looking sharp."

Frank added: "Xavi is performing at a good top level. So those three together, just give the offensive part of the game much more."

The Dane has always had a soft spot for Kudus, whom Tottenham signed from West for about £50million in the summer. At the start of the season, Frank waxed lyrical about the Ghanaian's contributions on and off the ball.

Following the 2-2 draw against in September, the Spurs boss said: "I think two things. One, his work ethic has been really good.

"It's big for me, how hard he works in the counter-press, high pressure, defensive side of it. But his hold-up play, when it goes into him, it just sticks. You can't get it off him.

"So he just keeps it, he doesn't lose a 50-50 ball. And then the third thing is his one-on-one ability is crazy. He's so strong, he's so explosive. He just dominated the right-hand side."

As it stands, the severity of Kudus' problem remains unknown, but Frank will hope to have him back for Wednesday night's clash against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

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