Tottenham Hotspur have received a significant boost ahead of their crucial Europa League clash with Elfsborg as defender Micky van de Ven has returned to full training with the Spurs first team.
The Dutch centre-back had been sidelined with a hamstring injury since Tottenham lost 4-3 to Chelsea on December 8, but his return offers a glimmer of hope for Ange Postecoglou’s struggling side.
During Van de Ven’s absence, Tottenham have endured a difficult run of form, winning just one of their last eight Premier League matches.
Tottenham have been plagued by injuries, with key players such as Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario all sidelined.
Also, Van de Ven’s central defensive partner, Cristian Romero, who suffered an injury in the same match against Chelsea, remains unavailable for Tottenham.
The news of Van de Ven’s return comes at a critical time, especially with reports suggesting that playmaker James Maddison could be out for up to three weeks due to a calf injury sustained in Tottenham’s recent win over Hoffenheim.
However, Postecoglou is expected to manage Van de Ven’s reintegration cautiously, given his history of hamstring issues.
On February 6, Tottenham will face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, holding a slender one-goal advantage. Three days later, they meet Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round. Spurs need squad depth for these critical games.
Despite Van de Ven’s return, it is unlikely he will feature against Elfsborg on Thursday, as Postecoglou has been methodical in easing injured players back into action.
However, his presence in training signals an encouraging step forward as Spurs look to secure a vital Europa League victory and automatic qualification to the next round.
