Ange Postecoglou has dismissed the idea of Tottenham signing a free agent goalkeeper following Guglielmo Vicario’s injury. The Italian shot-stopper underwent surgery on a fractured right ankle, an injury he sustained during Spurs’ 4-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend.

Despite playing the full match, the severity of his injury was only revealed 24 hours later. Fraser Forster is now expected to step up as the club’s main goalkeeper in the coming months.

While some supporters have suggested that the north London club could sign a short-term replacement, this seems unlikely. According to Premier League rule V.7.6. 2, clubs can only sign an emergency goalkeeper under “exceptional” circumstances.

Given that Vicario is currently the only senior goalkeeper injured, it’s highly unlikely that this situation would be deemed “exceptional”.

According to football.london, with two slots open in Tottenham’s 25-man squad, any unattached player signed by the club would be eligible to play immediately.

Despite this, Postecoglou has dismissed the option of bringing in free agents. “Yeah, it’s not going to happen,” he confirmed during his pre-match press conference before facing Roma.

“That’s why we’ve got a squad of players. I don’t think us signing a free agent now helps us.”

“Bit of a shock first of all,” the Spurs boss added of the Vicario news.: “It’s testament to the man though and externally people will realise what we see internally. He’s hard as nails.

“Knowing him he’ll be pushing his limits to get back and knowing him you’ll be getting daily updates on his Instagram.

“It’s not going to be weeks. It’ll be months. 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.”