Tottenham not having Dejan Kulusevski available for the north London derby against Arsenal on Saturday would be a blow, says journalist Dean Jones.

The 22-year-old winger is currently a doubt heading into the highly-anticipated clash at the Emirates.

GiveMeSport Injury News

What is the latest injury news involving Kulusevski?

Kulusevski returned to Hotspur Way from international duty with a suspected muscle injury and is now unlikely to play on Saturday.

Discussing the Sweden star and a couple of other injury doubts, manager Antonio Conte told reporters in his pre-match press conference on Thursday (via Evening Standard): "We have to wait tomorrow to check some players because they returned from the national teams with some physical problems.

"Tomorrow will be very important, the last training session to understand the players we can count on. At the moment we have to wait."

Prior to the international break, Kulusevski had started six of Tottenham's seven Premier League fixtures.

GMS Son Heung-min shirt

What has Jones said about Kulusevski and Tottenham?

Jones says Kulusevski being a doubt for the north London derby is not good news for Tottenham given how important he has become for Conte.

When asked if his potential absence would be a blow for Spurs, the journalist told GIVEMESPORT: "Yeah. I mean, it is helpful that Son [Heung-min] has found his form again and you would imagine that Richarlison will start, but Kulusevski has been a real key player under Conte this calendar year. You know, missing him… he is a vital part of that cog."

Can Tottenham win the north London derby without Kulusevski?

Of course. They still have some very good attacking players in Son, Richarlison and Harry Kane.

The last of that trio has been absolutely deadly in north London derbies, finding the back of the net 13 times - no one has scored more goals than the England captain in this fixture.

However, not having £110,000-a-week Kulusevski would still be a blow and make winning a much harder task.

As Jones mentioned, Kulusevski, who is currently valued at £70m by the CIES Football Observatory, has been such a key player for Conte since arriving from Juventus in January.

Last season, he came up with an impressive 13 goal contributions in just 18 Premier League appearances and has already built on that this term by recording another four. Going into the north London derby without that would cause some worry. But again, thanks to the above options, it would not be the end of the world for Spurs.