Alasdair Gold has doubts over Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Oliver Skipp's return from injury...

What's the latest?

Speaking on a recent video to supporters on his YouTube channel, the ever-reliable football.london journalist delivered a fresh claim about the 21-year-old and his current situation.

Skipp last played for Spurs on January 23rd - a defeat to Chelsea - and continues to be absent from the squad with a pelvic injury. Manager Antonio Conte had expected him back in mid-to-late February, leaving him frustrated with the club's medical staff, according to the Guardian.

"The actual thing he's got I believe - I've written it down here - so what it is the injury relates to this is where we go a all a bit Latin, pubic symphysis," claimed Gold.

"So that's the area he's having a bit of an issue with. It's obviously a sensitive area as you can tell by one of the words in there it's all down there in the painful area.

"And it's just about him not having this kind of pain as it were. And yeah, I've kind of tried to look up to it and I'm no doctor or medical expert in any way. But it does seem like something that needs a little bit of time to get over.

"I just hope we see him again this season. I hope we do."

Gutting blow

This is worrying news, not just for Conte, but the Lilywhites faithful, too.

The young England U21 international has emerged as a key player under the tutelage of the Italian head coach. His presence in the engine room is sorely missed as they continue to leak goals for fun in his absence.

Valued at £18m, the Hotspur Way academy graduate played a lot of games for Norwich City last season, featuring in all but one league match whilst on loan, on their way to the title. It appears that vigorous workload has finally taken its toll.

He has now missed seven straight games in the Premier League, where Spurs have won three and lost four, also conceding nine goals, via Transfermarkt. Prior to his injury, the English dynamo was involved in five clean sheets from his eight appearances since the 52-year-old was hired.

Earlier in the campaign, Conte reinforced Skipp's importance to the team, claiming:

“He played with great intensity, great passion, with heart, with soul. I think it was important because, for me, he doesn’t care if he’s only 21-years-old, who deserves to play," he told reporters in December (via the Evening Standard) before adding:

"He could become a top midfielder, but he has to continue to work. He has this will, this desire to become an important player for Tottenham and for the present and for the future.”

With doubts now emerging over Skipp's return before the end of the current campaign, Tottenham's chances of finishing inside the top-four appear to be faltering by the week.

Conte will continue to be frustrated to not have his key midfielder back during a crucial run-in.

AND in other news, David Ornstein drops huge Fabio Paratici claim...