Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be without several key players when they return to domestic action with a trip to Brentford on Boxing Day.

Several of Spurs' players returned from the World Cup nursing problems and that will see both Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison as definite injury absentees, and the latter may be out for quite some time with a hamstring issue.

Ben Davies is back, as manager Antonio Conte revealed earlier this week. However, it seems unlikely that Argentina centre-back Cristian Romero will be available after this country's triumph in Qatar.

That's according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, who told Football FanCast:

"I can't see it, to be honest.

"Obviously, those celebrations are going to be pretty wild and hard, I think in Argentina right now for the next few days.

"So trying to get the player's mind back in domestic action is going to be pretty hard."

Romero's likely absence on Monday afternoon will come as a big blow to Conte as the 24-year-old titan is an integral part of the back three, often being the right-hand aggressor and covering for Emerson Royal when he bombs forward.

Once described as an "animal" by former teammate Pierluigi Gollini, Romero is currently Tottenham's best-performing defender - as per WhoScored ratings - having averaged 2.5 tackles and a squad-high 1.4 interceptions per game.

It would mean that either FC Barcelona loanee Clement Lenglet or the inconsistent Davinson Sanchez is likely to take his place, which instantly makes Spurs' backline a lot weaker.

Both Conte and the Lilywhites faithful will be hoping that their World Cup winner returns in time for the New Year's Day clash with Aston Villa when Bentancur is also set to make his return.

AND in other news, Paratici could ease Spurs' big Richarlison blow by signing £13m "magician" in January...