Tottenham Hotspur's defensive spine has suffered a crushing blow, with key centre-back Cristian Romero expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

The Argentine international was forced to leave the pitch in visible distress during Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, a result that leaves the club perilously close to the relegation zone with just six matches left to play.

This devastating setback not only derails Tottenham's fight for survival but also throws Romero's participation in this summer's World Cup into serious doubt, casting a shadow over Argentina's title defence in North America.

New manager Roberto De Zerbi immediately acknowledged the severity of the loss, stating, "I hope for us it’s not too important a problem because he’s a crucial player. He’s a good guy, good player, top player, big personality and we need him."

Romero's absence creates a massive void in a backline already under pressure, forcing De Zerbi into a major tactical reshuffle for the critical final stretch of the campaign.