Rodrigo Bentancur to miss remainder of Tottenham Hotspur’s season with anterior cruciate ligament injury

The 25-year-old was hauled off in the 65th minute after a nasty knee-on-knee clash with Nempalys Mendy, with Spurs trailing in the game despite Bentancur’s opener in the 14th minute.

“We can confirm that Rodrigo Bentancur has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be out of action for the remainder of the campaign,” a club statement read on Monday morning.

“The midfielder will undergo surgery before beginning his rehabilitation with our medical staff.”

Bentancur becomes Antonio Conte’s latest long-term absence in a growing injury crisis.

Yves Bissouma underwent ankle ligament surgery on Friday for a stress fracture, while goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is set for eight weeks on the sidelines following a knee injury.

Tottenham travel to AC Milan for a Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday and are also without the suspended Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Bentancur has been one of Spurs’ top performers this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 18 league games. Only Harry Kane has more goal contributions.

The ruptured knee ligament is the latest injury he has endured this season, after already missing six league games this campaign with adductor problems (four games), a head injury (one game), and an ankle problem (one game).