Our new Head Coach confirmed at his pre-Brighton press conference on Friday that skipper Cuti will miss the rest of the season with the knee injury he suffered at Sunderland last weekend - better news sees Rodri Bentancur return.

Asked who might wear the armband against Brighton, Roberto replied: "I have to decide. I didn't decide yet because I have had other, more important, problems to find a solution.

"I would like all players to be a captain, especially in this moment. It's not important if you play in the first XI, if you play 30 minutes or 90 minutes, or you can't play anyway, we have to feel the responsibility of this situation and we can't cry, otherwise we have to push and to be stronger to come out of this situation, because we are able to do that."

It was then put to Roberto that James Maddison is a character, leader and back in training as he recovers from a serious knee injury - and if he could play a part before the end of the season.

"There are a lot of different types of leader," said Roberto. "The leader who talks inside of the dressing room, the leader with the ball, the leader in the tough moment, the leader because he helps his team-mates. I think to be a stronger team we need many many leaders.

"For sure, Maddison is different. Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch.

"I would like to reach this level for Micky van der Ven, for example. Bentancur is a leader, Palhinha is another leader. I would like to push with Solanke, because Solanke is one of the best strikers in Premier League and I want him stronger as a personality, as a character on the pitch.

"Also, Xavi Simons is very young, but he's a leader with the ball because he has personality, has the right character to receive the ball when the ball is hot, because it's not so easy to play in this moment for us. We need players with personality and character, otherwise they don't play with me."

Asked further about Maddison's potential availability, Roberto added: "I don't know yet. I don't want to push too much. I'm used to waiting for the players when they are available, totally available to play and to restart the training, because it's better to lose one game more than to take a risk for another new injury."

The latest updates ahead of Brighton clash

Predict the score | Spurs vs Brighton