Tottenham Hotspur suffer blow as new signing is immediately ruled out for weeks

Tottenham Hotspur defender Kota Takai has suffered a foot injury, Thomas Frank has confirmed.

The Japanese international has been ruled out for a number of weeks.

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Takai is yet to make his Spurs debut after signing for the club earlier this month.

He joined from Kawasaki Frontale on a five-year deal for a fee worth £5million.

However, the 20-year-old will not be involved against Arsenal in Hong Kong on Thursday.

It comes after he missed Spurs’ previous pre-season friendlies against Reading, Wycombe and Luton.

Frank confirmed the severity of Takai’s injury during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

He told reporters: “Kota got a plantar fascia injury, unfortunately we don’t know the scale of it – weeks.”

The Spurs boss also revealed Destiny Udogie will not feature on the Asian tour after picking up an injury ahead of the Luton clash.

Frank added: “Destiny got a knee injury that we’re assessing at the moment, that has kept him out of this pre-season tour.”

Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur is available following an illness to face the Gunners.

The two sides are set to meet at the Kai Tak Stadium in the first North London Derby played overseas.

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However, Dominic Solanke and James Maddison are not expected to be fit to feature as they continue their rehabilitation programmes.

Frank explained: “Dom is looking much better, progressing, we’ll see if it’s too early for Arsenal, but we’re positive about him.

“Madders is looking better and better, could also be too early for Arsenal, again, we’ll see. Rodri is back from illness, so that’s good.”

Who have Spurs signed this summer?

Takai is one of five permanent signings Spurs have made this summer.

It follows Frank’s appointment on a three-year deal as Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso have both made their loan moves permanent.

Meanwhile, Spurs splashed out £55million to bring Mohammed Kudus to the club from West Ham.

Teenage defender Luka Vuskovic has also arrived from Hajduk Split after turning 18 having agreed a deal for the Croatian back in 2023.

Spurs’ pre-season schedule

Following the clash with Arsenal, Spurs conclude their Asian tour against Newcastle in Seoul on Sunday.

They will then travel to Germany to face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on August 7.

Whilst that is their final pre-season friendly, Frank will oversee one more fixture before the start of the new domestic season.

Spurs meet Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13.

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The match will be held at the 25,144-capacity Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.

They then kick-off their Premier League campaign at home to newly-promoted Burnley three days later.