Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is reportedly unlikely to make his debut for the club in Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.
The Czech shot-stopper was confirmed as Spurs' first signing of the January transfer window on Sunday, signing a six-and-a-half year contract after the Lilywhites agreed a £12.5m deal with Slavia Prague.
Kinsky is believed to have travelled to London for his medical and contract signing on Saturday, when Ange Postecoglou's side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the lunchtime Premier League kickoff.
However, Tottenham confirmed in their transfer statement that Kinsky's move was still subject to a work permit and international clearance, making him doubtful for the first leg of the semi-final against the Reds.
According to journalist Tom Barclay, it is currently seen as unlikely that the 21-year-old will be able to earn his Tottenham baptism in Wednesday's game, as work permits can take up to 48 hours to be granted.
When could Kinsky make his Tottenham debut?
New Tottenham signing Antonin Kinsky featuring against Liverpool on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg viewed as unlikely at the moment because he is still yet to receive his work permit, which can take up to 48 hours to receive
— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) January 6, 2025
There is still a chance that the relevant documentation could arrive in time, but even if Kinsky is given the green light to play, it would be a surprise to see him thrown into the starting XI so soon.
As a result, the former Slavia Prague man may have to wait until the weekend's FA Cup trip to Tamworth to make his Tottenham debut, which could precede a first Premier League appearance against Arsenal in the North London derby on January 15.
Including Kinsky, Postecoglou could be without a total of three goalkeepers for the meeting with the Reds, as Guglielmo Vicario is still several weeks away from making his return from an ankle fracture.
Number two Fraser Forster was also unavailable to face Newcastle at the weekend on account of illness, meaning that Brandon Austin made his long-awaited Lilywhites debut with Alfie Whiteman in reserve.
Austin put in a strong display in between the sticks despite coming out on the wrong end of the scoreline, and the 25-year-old will be expected to keep his place against Liverpool if Forster is still laid low by his bug.
What other Spurs players will miss Liverpool semi-final?
© Imago
As well as the winter virus sweeping through their camp, Tottenham continue to work around an injury crisis, as Vicario and Forster are two of nine players currently out of contention.
Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are still working their way back from fitness problems, and Mikey Moore is yet to make his return from a severe illness.
Furthermore, Spurs will have to work around the absences of James Maddison and Pape Sarr for the first leg, as the pair picked up suspension-inducing yellow cards in the 4-3 quarter-final win over Manchester United.
However, Rodrigo Bentancur is back from the Premier League ban he served in the loss to Newcastle and could be a straight swap for Sarr in the middle of the park.
Ben Knapton
