Guglielmo Vicario set to play against Nottingham Forest before hernia surgery

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery on a hernia problem next week, but is set to play through the pain in Sunday’s relegation six-pointer with Nottingham Forest.

Vicario was a notable absentee from the Italy squad announced on Friday morning for this month’s international fixtures.

Spurs interim head coach Igor Tudor faced the media later on Friday and confirmed there were no fresh injury problems, but the struggling Premier League club have now revealed Vicario is set for a “minor procedure” next week.

However, the Press Association understands Vicario has been playing through the pain barrier for a number of weeks and remains in contention to start Sunday’s visit of 17th-placed Forest, who are only one point behind Tottenham.

Vicario’s continued availability is significant after Spurs back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky endured a nightmare appearance in the Champions League last week and had to be withdrawn after 17 minutes due to two mistakes in a 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid.

“We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario will undergo surgery next week on a hernia,” a Tottenham statement read.

“The minor procedure for the Italy international goalkeeper has been timed to have as minimal an impact on our season as possible.

“Guglielmo will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately, and it is hoped that he could return to action within the next month.”

Spurs do not play again after Sunday’s home fixture until April 11 due to no FA Cup fixture on the weekend after the March international break.

Tudor detailed during Friday’s press conference how he hoped to have several players back for April, with Mohammed Kudus (quad) and Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring) in line for timely returns while James Maddison (knee) is “positive” over featuring in the run-in for survival.

Asked if Maddison, who suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in August, could play this season, Tudor said: “Yeah, Maddison is already doing interesting things as well.

“With the ball and sprinting as well. I saw him, he is positive.

“We have this big three weeks after the game on Sunday…we need to check but (Kudus) is progressing very well. Already a little bit with the ball.

“Rodrigo as well, Maddison as well. We hope the medical staff will make us some nice surprises in the next weeks which would be very important to have.”

Before Spurs’ depleted squad can be boosted next month, they have a pivotal match with Forest, who were forced to play 120 minutes on Thursday before they made it through to the Europa League quarter-finals with a shoot-out win over FC Midtjylland.

Vitor Pereira’s Forest have also had a day fewer than Tottenham to prepare, but Tudor said: “No, there will be no advantage.

“The coach made it the way so the players that start did not play more than 60 minutes, so there will not be an advantage from this point of view.”

Tudor should have Dominic Solanke available after a minor hip issue and Joao Palhinha took part in training on Friday after being sidelined due to concussion protocols.

Spurs’ interim boss declined to comment on being charged by Football Association on Thursday for his comments about Thomas Bramall being a “home team referee” after defeat at Fulham.

He said: “We focus on the game, that is the most important thing.”