Spurs given opposition boost ahead of showdown with AFC Bournemouth | OneFootball

After Spurs had two extremely rare weeks off, the intense schedule is about to begin again. Although Ange's side do not have a game this weekend, due to the FA Cup fifth round, they are still going to have a lot of playing twice a week.

Next week, less than 72 hours after playing AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League over in the Netherlands, they will be facing AFC Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Very tricky game, as we saw in the reverse fixture.

However, Spurs have been given a boost before the game - the impressive, Spurs linked defender, Ilias Zabarnyi, is going to miss the game. The defender was sent off in Bournemouth's 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves last weekend, for a studs up challenge. The South Coast club appealed for the suspension to be rescinded, but they had no luck - and he is set to miss their next three games.

Bournemouth to be without a key defender when they visit Spurs next week

The first of those games will be tonight away to Brighton and Hove Albion, the second will be in a repeat of the game against Wolves in the FA Cup this weekend, and the third will be against Spurs next weekend.

No doubt about it, Zabarnyi has been really good for Andoni Iraola's side, and he will be a big loss for them in North London. That said, his partner, Dean Hujisen - whom has also been linked with a move to Spurs - is also an extremely good player.

As for who comes in for the defender - Argentina international Marcos Senesi was a regular in the team before the partnership of Zabaryni and Hujisen - but he is also injured, and has been since November. Spurs esque luck. The much less experienced, and just simply not as good, James Hill could well come in at centre half for the game at Spurs. That is what they have gone with tonight, at least.

On the flip side of all of this, striker Evanilson, who has been injured since the beginning of January, was back on the bench for the defeat to Wolves, and is on the bench again tonight - so by the time the game comes around next week, could be in contention to at least play some part of the game.