Ange Postecoglu has almost no one available in crucial games

Angel Postecoglou believes Tottenham's current injury crisis is a wake-up call for the football world and fears the problem will not improve unless the club can expand its squad to cope with an increasingly tight fixture list.

Spurs will face Hoffenheim in the penultimate Europa League group match on Thursday, but the team is on the verge of collapse, with only 13 first-team players traveling to Germany. Pep Sarr became the latest player to miss out due to injury, and with Reguilon, Liang Minge, Spence and Antonin Kinsky unable to participate due to eligibility issues, Postecoglou has almost no one available in the crucial game. This game will determine whether Spurs can skip the knockout play-offs as the top eight in the group.

"We are the worst hit team but it's becoming more and more common," said the under-pressure Spurs boss.

“Looking at the teams in Europe, even Newcastle were affected last year and Villa to some extent this year. You need a strong squad, fit and healthy, to be able to cope with the challenge of being successful in European competitions and domestic cups at the same time - because when you have three games a week, that intensity can’t be sustained for long.”

Postecoglou continued: "Part of the reason is that we did well in the Carabao Cup and got extra games. Maybe some people think our situation is an isolated case, but it is actually not so extreme and may become more common in the future. It is also a warning to other clubs."

Despite the team's deep crisis, Postecoglou rejected suggestions to adjust the team's recruitment strategy. "If you have to play so many games, you have to expand the squad, no matter what strategy you use, if you want to compete at this level and perform well in all competitions, there is no other way to solve this problem."

"This is not a question of club strategy or recruitment, but simply a lack of numbers. We face a limited number of players in all competitions. There is also the issue of international matches, and players have almost no rest time between seasons. The calendar and requirements of football have changed a lot in the past five years compared to the past fifty. If this trend continues, it will cause more problems."

Postecoglu said it was not certain whether Tottenham, currently ranked ninth in the Europa League, would make more signings before the transfer window closed. The team's current focus is to defeat Hoffenheim, which is ranked 17th in the Bundesliga and is in a slump this season and faces the risk of early exit from the European arena.