Micky van de Ven avoids serious injury as Pedro Porro return plan takes shape

Tottenham look set to avoid a deepening defensive crisis ahead of Saturday's trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, despite Micky van de Ven being forced off during the Netherlands' clash on Sunday night.

The London side's captain left the pitch in the closing stages of the Nations League Group A2 clash against Serbia in Belgrade after an unfortunate incident in which home striker Luka Jovic accidentally stepped on his left hand. Two of the defender's fingers were initially strapped, allowing him to carry on, but he had to come off shortly after. With Xavi Hernandez having already used all his permitted substitutions, the Dutch finished the game with ten men.

The incident sparked serious concern in the Tottenham camp ahead of the Premier League's resumption. The north London outfit are still searching for their first league victory of the campaign to climb away from the bottom of the table.

Spurs are already without right-back Pedro Porro for the Old Trafford showdown due to a hamstring injury that also ruled him out of international duty with Spain. Meanwhile, Van de Ven's central defensive partner Jan Paul van Hecke withdrew from the Dutch camp earlier last week with a foot issue picked up in their first encounter against Serbia.

However, fears of a prolonged layoff for Van de Ven were allayed by new Netherlands head coach Xavi following the match in Belgrade.

"He is fine. He felt dizzy due to the intense pain in his finger, but it is not a serious injury," the Spanish tactician said.

Van de Ven is heading back to his club in any case after the Netherlands concluded their four Nations League fixtures for this international window. The centre-back will be thoroughly assessed by Tottenham's medical staff and is expected to be available for the trip to Manchester.

Meanwhile, Pedro Porro continues his rehabilitation in the hope of returning for the home fixture against Coventry City on October 19, though the derby against Chelsea five days later remains a more likely target for his comeback.

The Spanish full-back picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat against Unai Emery's Aston Villa on September 19, lasting just 19 minutes on the pitch, with initial timelines suggesting a month out. During the international break, the defender worked with specialists in Spain rather than at Tottenham's training ground to reach peak condition ahead of his expected return at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea loanee Mykhailo Mudryk also remains sidelined for Tottenham with an ankle issue picked up in training last month. Long-term absentees Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert continue their recovery from ACL tears sustained last season.