Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi explains Savio absence as new signing left out of Newcastle clash

Roberto De Zerbi has explained why Savio is missing from Tottenham’s matchday squad for their encounter against Newcastle this afternoon. The north Londoners take on Matthias Jaissle’s Magpies at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today looking for their first league win of the new campaign after a humbling 3-0 defeat by Brentford in their opening match. Spurs signed Savio from Manchester City earlier this week, and the Brazilian made an instant impact off the bench in the Carabao Cup, netting on his debut in the 5-1 drubbing of Charlton Athletic in midweek. The winger scored a sumptuous goal to immediately make himself a crowd favourite among the Spurs faithful, so there was obvious surprise when he was omitted from the matchday squad for the visit of Newcastle, and especially after De Zerbi had mentioned ahead of the Newcastle fixture that Savio was in contention to make his full debut. Missing: SavioAFP/GettyDe Zerbi quickly explained the decision, telling Sky Sports: “There was bad news yesterday, before training in the afternoon. He suffered muscle fatigue and the medical staff didn’t want to take a risk. I agree with them.” The Italian hopes to have the forward back for Spurs’ next Premier League outing, a trip to Nottingham Forest next weekend. Richarlison was another surprise name missing from the Tottenham bench on Saturday afternoon, and the Brazilian’s future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been in question throughout the transfer window. There was positive news on the injury front, with Mohammed Kudus passing fit enough for a place on the bench after a tricky and persistent thigh problem that has kept him out since January.