Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele are targeting a return to action in time for Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea on Tuesday.
Centre-half Vertonghen has not played since Tottenham’s 1-1 draw at Barcelona on December 11 due to a thigh injury, while midfielder Dembele has been on the sidelines for two months with ankle trouble.
Yet both returned to training on Thursday, raising hopes they could be involved in the clash with the Blues at Wembley — though Erik Lamela could not complete training today due to illness.
Dembele’s long-term future at the club is uncertain. He is out of contract at the end of the season and could move this month, with clubs in the Chinese Super League showing interest.
In theory, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino could include the pair in his squad for tomorrow night’s FA Cup third-round tie at League Two club Tranmere, though the Argentine is expected to leave out several key first teamers.
Academy products Kyle Walker-Peters, 21, and Oliver Skipp, 18, are set to start and youngsters Timothy Eyoma, Troy Parrott and George Marsh are likely to be in the squad.
Tottenham’s heavy fixture schedule — they played four games between December 23 and January 1 — and forthcoming Carabao Cup semi-final double-header against Chelsea mean Pochettino is set to rotate.
Meanwhile, out-of-favour forward Vincent Janssen — who has not played for Spurs since August 2017 — could play against Liverpool Under-23s on Monday.
The Dutchman is not part of Pochettino’s plans may be sold this month.
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