THE FUSE

Tottenham fans were understandably anxious when the team sheets were released for Wednesday’s friendly against A-League side, with £85 million arrival Fernandes nowhere to be seen. The 22-year-old midfielder has quickly become the focal point of Spurs' summer rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi, and his absence immediately sparked fears that the club’s injury curse had struck again. These concerns were amplified after footage emerged from a recent training session in Australia, which appeared to show the former West Ham man watching from the sidelines while his team-mates were put through their paces.