Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb Still Sidelined with Injury, Confirms Pochettino
Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb will remain out of action for Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming Premier League clash against Hull City, as he continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained on international duty in October.
Bentaleb, who has been undergoing treatment since returning from national team duty, has yet to rejoin full training. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s fixture, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that the 20-year-old is still not fit to return.
“Bentaleb is not ready yet, he won’t be for a few weeks,” said the Argentine coach during his pre-match press conference.
The injury occurred during Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Malawi on October 11 and 15. Bentaleb received a knock in Blida, which led to ongoing discomfort in his ankle upon returning to London.
Bentaleb, a product of Tottenham’s academy, rose to prominence last season under former manager Tim Sherwood and quickly established himself as a composed presence in the heart of midfield. He has also become an integral part of Algeria’s national setup, representing the Fennecs at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
While Tottenham have a number of midfield options, Bentaleb’s absence has been felt, particularly given his ability to shield the back line and dictate play from deep. Spurs will hope for a swift recovery, with Pochettino emphasizing that the medical staff are closely managing his rehabilitation.
As the club navigates a demanding fixture list, Bentaleb’s return will be seen as a welcome boost once he regains full fitness — though his comeback is still expected to take several more weeks.
