Ange Postecoglou excited to see Radu Dragusin's full debut against Fulham

Micky van de Ven has been ruled out of Saturday's London derby with a minor hamstring injury, which is only set to sideline the Netherlands defender until after the March international break.

Van de Ven's absence will hand 22-year-old Dragusin a first start since his move from Genoa in a transfer that could rise to £25million.

The Romania centre-back has only made four substitute appearances for Spurs, but Postecoglou has already noticed the impact Dragusin has made on the group with the pressure he has put on Van de Ven and Cristian Romero with his performances in training.

Postecoglou said: "I'll take the suspense out of it. He'll start tomorrow. It's a good opportunity for him.

"I've liked his trajectory. He's played at clubs where he's had to fight for everything. The characteristics he's had are around his defensive principles, which are really strong.

"In Serie A you get tested every week. There has been growth in him and he really wanted to come here. I don't disregard that.

"When players have a strong desire to come here, they have obviously thought carefully about and have evidence that it's right for them. Plenty of room for growth as well and from the moment he arrived he's taken every opportunity to do that."

Richarlison could return at Craven Cottage after a knee injury but the prognosis for Manor Solomon is not positive.

The former Fulham loanee is no closer to being fit again after a right knee injury, but Postecoglou is not keen on declaring whether or not he could feature again this season.

"He's had a tough time. Whenever players go through these periods, the important thing is not to try to put any firm deadlines or firm statements around it. We'll give him the time he needs," he said.

The prolonged absence of Solomon contributed towards Tottenham bringing in RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner on loan in January.

The former Chelsea attacker has scored in recent wins over Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, but Postecoglou was coy over whether Spurs will activate the option to buy clause in his deal.

"I don't think it's the time for those kind of decisions and I don't think it would be fair on Timo," Postecoglou said.

"Timo has done well. But the time for those kind of discussions are down the line for us, for me."

Postecoglou was again quizzed on the club's plans to increase season ticket prices by six per cent next season and for no new senior concussions season tickets to be available from the 2025-26 campaign.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust stated it was "dismayed" by the price increase and labelled the senior concessions changes as "unacceptable" upon the announcement on March 6.

THST this week sent a letter to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and urged the club to reconsider its proposed changes.

It was put to Postecoglou that loyal supporters were being priced out to allow 'plastic' fans to attend matches, which the Australian took umbrage with.

"That's really harsh and I'll tell you why because I'm probably plastic and touristy," he said.

"I was coming from the other side of the world really passionate about football and if I could get access to see a Premier League game, that was the world to me.

"So to label people 'plastic' or 'tourists', I don't think that's fair just because people live on the other side of the world. This football club has supporters all over the world."

READ MORE: Radu Dragusin poised to make first Tottenham start against Fulham