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• Tottenham must bolster attacking options in January, says Postecoglou

  Ange Postecoglou said that Tottenham must make signings during the transfer window to strengthen their attacking options. 

  Tottenham find themselves seventh in the Premier League after 13 games this season, but have been unable to find consistency with results thus far.

  But their form has not been helped by injuries in the forward areas, with Richarlison and Wilson Odobert out of action until next year with respective hamstring issues.

  Dominic Solanke, who missed Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday, is expected to feature against former side Bournemouth on Thursday, however.  

  Despite those injuries, Postecoglou's side top the scoring charts in the top-flight this term with 28 goals, but the Spurs boss said he is in need of attacking reinforcements.

  "With Richy, it has been frustrating because I see the potential in him and, to be fair, when he’s been fit he’s always made an impact," Postecoglou said. 

  "That’s what you kind of hold on to, but there’s no doubt we need some bolstering in that front third over the next couple of transfer windows."

  “Dom coming in has been great, but again we can’t overload him either, because ultimately, even if he stays fit and nothing happens, performance will invariably drop if his energy levels drop. So it’s something we’re aware of and need to plan for."

  Cristian Romero is also unavailable for Thursday's game, adding to the absences of Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario and the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur.

  Tottenham's squad is likely to be stretched once again during December, with eight games coming up this month. 

  Following their trip to Bournemouth, they take on Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Wolves in the Premier League. 

  In between those league games, they face Rangers in the Europa League as well as a quarter-final EFL Cup tie against Manchester United. 

  "It's a Thursday Sunday cycle for us pretty consistently," he added. 

  "Monday is recovery day for the lads and yesterday training with the guys who didn't play the majority of the game.

  "They've all recovered well, no issues from [Fulham] and we're ready to go for a big game tomorrow."

  But up first for Tottenham is a trip to the south coast against Andoni Iraola's in-form Bournemouth side, who beat Wolves 4-2 in their last Premier League encounter. 

  And Postecoglou will have confidence of returning to winning ways at the Vitality Stadium given their recent meetings with the Cherries. 

  Tottenham have won 10 of their 14 Premier League games against Bournemouth (D2 L2) – of the sides they’ve faced at least 10 times in the competition, only against Swansea (79%) do they have a higher win rate.

  Along with that, each of their last five top-flight away wins have been to nil, including a 4-0 victory at reigning champions Manchester City last time out.

  Spurs, however, haven’t won any of their last 14 when conceding on the road (D5 L9), since a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in October 2023, and Postecoglou is expecting another difficult task away from home. 

  "A tough challenge, not just of late but from last year. They came here and were really aggressive with their football and especially at their place," Postecoglou concluded. 

  "They've beaten City and Arsenal at their place. They are one of those sides where they have real consistency in performance and approach, so you know that you're in for a battle. I'm really looking forward to it."

• Shaw 'devastated' by yet another injury setback

  Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw has said that he is devastated after suffering the latest in a long line of injury issues.

  Shaw made his first appearance of the season coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw away to Ipswich Town on 24 November, which was Ruben Amorim's first game in charge.

  He has since made another substitute appearance against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League last week and on Sunday in the 4-0 home win over Everton.

  Now a new injury, which is not thought to be related to his original calf issue, will keep him out for a few weeks.

  "It's hurting a lot having to write this as I really thought I had got through my recent struggles and was on a positive path going forwards, but unfortunately I've had a small setback," Shaw wrote in an emotional statement on his Instagram account.

  "I've been through a lot and had a lot of ups and downs, but this has definitely been my toughest period. I'm absolutely devastated, and it's extremely tough to come to terms with reality at this moment in time.

  "I understand there is going to be people frustrated, angry, disappointed and I understand all that. There is no one feeling that more than me at this moment in time.

  "But what I can promise is I will do everything I can to come back better soon to help this club achieve its ambitions this season. Thank you to everyone for the support. It really doesn't go unnoticed, and I really do appreciate it."

  Prior to his appearance at Ipswich, Shaw had not played since England's 2-1 defeat in the Euro 2024 final.

  That was his only start of the tournament, while his last start for Manchester United came in a 2-1 victory away to Luton Town in February.

• Guardiola dismisses talk of rift with Man City's De Bruyne

  Pep Guardiola has played down talk of a rift between himself and Manchester City's midfield star Kevin De Bruyne.

  The Belgian has endured another season in which he has suffered with injury, starting just four Premier League matches in 2024-25.

  But since returning from an abdominal injury that kept him out for eight weeks, De Bruyne has played a combined total of just 72 minutes across five substitute appearances.

  When he came off the bench at Anfield on Sunday, there were just 12 minutes remaining in the eventual 2-0 defeat by Liverpool.

  After both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville suggested that 'something isn't right' between the pair in the Sky Sports coverage of the match, Guardiola defended their relationship.

  "People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin," he said. "Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? I don't want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?

  "He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club. I'm desperate to have his best.

  "But he's been five months injured and two months injured. He's 33 years old. He needs time to find his best."

  De Bruyne had missed from August to January of the 2023-24 season following a recurrence of the hamstring injury that forced him off in the 2023 Champions League final against Inter Milan.

  With his contract up for renewal at the end of the year, he has confirmed talks for a renewal have not yet begun as he focuses on getting fit.

  "I'd love to have Kevin in his prime, at 26 or 27," said Guardiola. "He would love it too.

  "But he is not 26 or 27 any more. He had injuries in the past, important and long ones, and he is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy.

  "It's normal, it's nature. He played a lot of games for 10 or 11 seasons.

  "I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have."