Ange Postecoglou reveals recovery timeframe for 'hard as nails' Guglielmo Vicario as Tottenham boss rules out signing new goalkeeper in January transfer window

The goalkeeper has been ruled out with a fractured ankle which he suffered during Spurs' 4-0 win against Manchester City on Saturday, even though he played the full 90 minutes of the Premier League showdown.

The news comes as a huge blow to the north London side, who will rely on Fraser Forster in goal while their first choice stopper is out, with Australian manager Postecoglou confirming it will be a long time before the Italian returns.

"It's not going to be weeks. It'll be months," Postecoglou told a press conference. "He's had his surgery and because it's Vic and I don't like giving timelines as it puts expectations on them. Once we're in the rehab stage we'll know more."

He added: "[The injury was a] bit of a shock We saw he'd picked up the injury during the game. We saw him at half time but there was no doubt about continuing. He was a bit sore after the game but still didn't seem anything like that. It's testament to the man though and externally people will realise what we see internally. He's hard as nails."

The loss of the 28-year-old has sparked reports Spurs will attempt to sign a new goalkeeper in January, but Postecoglou dismissed the idea, saying: "Yeah, it's not going to happen. That's why we've got a squad of players. I don't think us signing a free agent now helps us. Me naming Fraser in the Europa League squad really looks like a radical decision now doesn't it?"

While Vicario is sidelined, Forster will make his fourth appearance of the season in the Europa League match against Roma on Thursday. He will then line up against Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.