Micky van de Ven is back in training with Tottenham in a major boost to head coach Ange Postecoglou.
The Dutch centre-back has been sidelined since pulling up with a hamstring strain in the 4-1 defeat by Chelsea on November 6.
Van de Ven, a summer signing from Wolfsburg, started the campaign in a superb manner, helping Spurs to the top of the Premier League table and their best start to a season since 1960-61, and their form has levelled off slightly without him.
Ahead of Friday night's home FA Cup third-round tie against Burnley, Postecoglou said: "Micky has trained this week.
"Not sure about tomorrow's game but he might be involved in the squad, it's good to get him back.
"Obviously, he's missed a fair bit so we'll have to be careful with him."
With Cristian Romero also currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, Postecoglou has used full-backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies in central defence in the past two matches, so Van de Ven's return is hugely welcome for Spurs.
The club are have prioritised a new centre-back in the January transfer window, with talks ongoing over a deal for Genoa's 21-year-old defender Radu Dragusin.
Postecoglou also confirmed that neither James Maddison nor Romero were yet back training with the group, while striker Alejo Veliz does not require surgery but is facing a couple of months out with a knee injury suffered against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Dejan Kulusevski is back available against Burnley after suspension, while Rodrigo Bentancur made a surprise early return from injury in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Spurs also remain without the likes of Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon due to injury, while midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have left for Africa Cup of Nations duty and captain Heung-min Son to the Asian Cup with South Korea.
Sarr was passed fit to join up with the Senegal squad after a hamstring scare suffered against Bournemouth. He signed a new long-term contract at Spurs earlier this week.
Addressing the injury to Veliz, Postecoglou said: "Alejo hurt his knee the other day and had a scan on it which will keep him out for a little while.
"It doesn't look like he'll need surgery but it'll be a couple of months which is disappointing because he worked really hard for his opportunity and you could be he was developing the last couple of weeks, so unfortunate for him."
