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Interim coach Ryan Mason said on Friday that Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris will miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury, as the club tries to preserve its hopes of playing in Europe next season.
Lloris pulled out at halftime during Tottenham’s humiliating 6-1 Premier League defeat by Newcastle United last month after conceding five goals in the first 21 minutes, and Fraser Forster replaced him in goal.
Lloris, who joined Tottenham in 2012, has played nearly 450 games for the club, and the 36-year-old Frenchman has another year to run on his contract. However, British media reported that he could leave the club at the end of the campaign.
“Hugo is out for the season. We had the results again. It’s obviously disappointing but we feared it at the beginning, so he won’t play again for us this season,” Mason told reporters before facing Crystal Palace on Saturday.
“I can’t talk about next season but what I can say is that he’s got a very important role for us until the end of the season.
“He is our captain and we want him to be a big part of the group, and he will be.”
Tottenham ranks seventh, nine points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, after scoring one point in the last four matches.
When asked about speculation about who will be the club’s next permanent manager, Mason said:
“Of course, when there is uncertainty, there will be names (mentioned). That is part of football.
But none of my energy or interest goes into outside noise or speculation.
“Within these walls we are together, we work together and we have a common goal, which is to try to get as many results as possible until the end of the season.”
Palace, who have been in fine form since Roy Hodgson’s return as manager, have won four of their last six matches.
“I will always have soft spot for Rowe because he gave me my England debut,” said Mason.
“But, of course, we’re playing against Crystal Palace in a very good moment – probably their best moment of the season.
“So we understand it will be a tough game but we are confident that at home and in front of our fans we can get a good result.”
Mason said Ryan Sessegnon will miss the rest of the season but right-back Emerson Royal could return, while it is “too early to say when” midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will return.
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