Yves Bissouma will be out for Tottenham Hotspur until at least the end of January after being sent off during his side’s 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.
The red card, Bissouma’s second of the season, means that the 27-year-old will serve a four-match ban.
Bissouma is also set to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations in January with Mali, ruling him out of club action until at least the end of January.
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With his side 2-0 up at the City Ground, Bissouma mistimed a challenge on Forest midfielder Ryan Yates and consequently scraped his boot on the 26-year-old’s shin.
The challenge initially went unpunished, but after a VAR review, the Mali international was shown a red card by referee Jarred Gillet.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder was red-carded during his side’s 1-0 victory over Luton Town earlier this season and will now miss his side’s games against Everton, Brighton, Bournemouth, and Burnley.
Tottenham have lost Bisosuma and defender Cristian Romero to suspensions due to red cards this season, but manager Ange Postecoglou does not believe his side has a discipline issue.
He said: “It’s an issue, but it’s not so much discipline. Tonight, I haven’t seen a slowed-down version (of Bissouma’s tackle) but it was just a desperate lunge more than anything malicious. The way we play our football, without crossing a line, I love the commitment that the guys show.
“Unfortunately we pay the price now as, not just for this game, he obviously misses a huge chunk of football between now and when he comes back. It’s disappointing, but it is what it is.”
Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie will also miss the game against Everton next week after he was shown his fifth yellow card of the season during the game at the City Ground.
Goals from Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski either side of half-time secured the three points for Ange Postecoglou’s side, their second win in a row.
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Nottingham Forest 0 Tottenham 2 - Kulusevski stars, Bissouma red means he's out till after AFCON
(Photo: Getty Images)
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