France boss Didier Deschamps delivers crushing Tottenham injury blow

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France boss Didier Deschamps has told AFP that Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is unlikely to return to action until the new year, meaning he is set to be sidelined for at least three months.

Lloris, 32, suffered a dislocated elbow just three minutes into Tottenham’s 3-0 loss to Brighton on Saturday. The France captain dropped a long ball at the feet of Neal Maupay who scored, before landing on his elbow.

The former Lyon goalkeeper needed oxygen while being stretchered off, and there had been suggestions that he would be able to return before the end of the year. But Deschamps has since ruled the veteran goalkeeper out until the new year at least.

Lloris was supposed to be in the France squad for the October break, but he will be remaining in London and France boss Deschamps has claimed he will be sidelined for longer than three months, taking him into 2020.

“It is difficult to say exactly how long he will not be available,” Deschamps said. “What matters to us right now is that he will not be with us for this round of games or for the next. Almost certainly, he won’t be back on the pitch in 2019.”

TBR’s view – Lloris’ form declining, but without him, Spurs suffer

We all saw just how badly Spurs suffered without the leader Lloris, as Aaron Connolly put Spurs to the sword. Without the French goalkeeper, Tottenham struggle despite his form continually declining.

Paulo Gazzaniga is a more than adept replacement, but he is not Lloris. Not only will France and Deschamps miss Lloris, but so will Tottenham.