Tottenham Hotspur are facing a defensive headache ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester United, with reports indicating that both first-choice centre-backs — Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke — sustained injuries during the international break.

According to reports relayed by Sport Witness, the Dutch duo picked up knocks while on duty with the Netherlands. The encouraging news, however, is that both players could be available for Saturday's fixture against Manchester United.

Van de Ven's arm scare

Van de Ven was deployed at left-back by Oranje during the international break — a position new Tottenham manager Xavi Hernandez has also been using him in, preferring Teun Koopmeiners in the centre. The Netherlands were reduced to 10 men after Van de Ven was forced off with an arm injury, sustained when former Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic landed awkwardly on him during a match against Serbia.