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Spurs coach explains Savio’s absence for Newcastle clash
29th August, 2026 08:59 PM
Tottenham Hotspur new boy Sávio has been left out of the squad to face Newcastle United in their Premier League home clash, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi attributing his absence to a minor muscle issue.
Spurs’ team news for their first home match of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, August 29, 2026, featured the return of new skipper Micky van de Ven, while summer signing Mohammed Kudus was named among the substitutes.
However, there was no place in the matchday squad for Sávio, who had recently marked his club debut with a goal in a 5–1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton Athletic.
Speaking on his absence, De Zerbi revealed that the former Manchester City winger suffered muscle fatigue during training.
He explained that there was bad news prior to the afternoon session when the player experienced discomfort, leading the medical staff to rule him out to avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
The Italian manager concurred with the decision, reassuring fans that the setback is not long-term and confirming that Sávio is expected to be available for their upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest the following week.
De Zerbi on Maddison and Sarr
In his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi also provided updates on the condition of James Maddison and the future of Pape Matar Sarr. He clarified that Maddison’s injury is not serious, though the midfielder experienced shoulder pain following their match against Brentford, leaving his availability for the weekend in doubt as he continues his recovery.
Meanwhile, De Zerbi confirmed that Sarr is fully fit, though he hinted at potential movement for the Senegalese midfielder before the transfer window closes, noting that the club will wait to see what develops in the final days of the market.
The club was among the heaviest recruiters for the 2026 summer and are expected to see departures before the close of the transfer window on Tuesday, September 1, 2026
