Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence sustained a broken jaw during Tuesday's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Chelsea, casting doubt on his availability for the crucial season finale.
The 25-year-old full-back suffered the facial fracture in an 87th-minute aerial collision with Chelsea striker Liam Delap at Stamford Bridge.
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Delap caught Spence with a stray elbow, earning a yellow card from referee Stuart Attwell.
The decision angered Tottenham's bench and traveling fans, as VAR declined to upgrade the punishment.
Protective Mask Plan
According to The Athletic, medical staff plan to fit Spence with a specialized protective mask to allow him to play in Sunday's match against Everton.
The former Middlesbrough player is determined to help Tottenham secure Premier League survival.
Spence has made 43 appearances across all competitions this season but has started only one of the last five matches.
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If cleared, he is expected to be on the substitutes' bench, with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie likely to start as full-backs.
The defeat left Tottenham two points above the relegation zone, but West Ham's loss to Newcastle kept safety in Spurs' hands.
A win or draw against Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will guarantee survival due to a vastly superior goal difference.
Tottenham faces a defensive crisis with Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, and Xavi Simons sidelined.
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Manager Roberto De Zerbi will rely on his available squad to secure top-flight status.
