Considering how Matt Doherty had managed to turn his Tottenham career around in recent months, the news that he is set to miss the rest of the season due to injury could hardly have come at a less opportune time.
The Irishman has been in stunning form for Spurs over the last couple of months, going from second choice to one of the key players in their push for a top four finish. Prior to last weekend's game against Aston Villa, he had registered two goals and three assists in his last six appearances.
However, a reckless tackle from Matty Cash in that fixture has now ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. It is a major blow to both the player and his club.
Speaking ahead of their game against Brighton on Saturday, Spurs boss Antonio Conte admitted that Matt Doherty's injury was 'really bad news' for the team.
This is really bad news for us because, as you know well, Matthew was improving game by game and becoming a really important player for us.
He had great confidence. But, in football, this kind of situation can happen, an injury, now we’ve lost him for the rest of the season.
I think after the first visit of the doctor, the doctor said he could recover without surgery. But, for sure in this type of situation, it’s important to have different opinions, then to make the best decision.
We are talking about seven, eight weeks to recover, and for this reason, his season has finished. It’s a pity, because he was an important player for us.
It’s a pity, a pity for him, and we are very disappointed. Now, we have to find the best solution. We have Emerson, Sergio Reguilon, Sessegnon in the squad, and we have to try to do our best until the end of the season.
Doherty is also set to miss the start of Ireland's UEFA Nations League campaign, with Stephen Kenny's side set to play four games in ten days across the start of June.
The defender will also be hoping that his excellent run of form will still be fresh in the mind of Antonio Conte when he considers what areas of the team to upgrade this summer.
SEE ALSO: Steven Gerrard Tells Neville How Difficult It Was To Deal With Luis Suarez At Times
