Toby Alderweireld has returned to Tottenham training ahead of schedule and Jose Mourinho admits he has an outside chance of being fit for the North London Derby against Arsenal on Sunday.
Alderweireld was pictured involved with first-team sessions at Enfield, ahead of Thursday evening's Europa League clash against LASK Linz following a groin injury sustained 10 days ago which Mourinho said could keep him out for up to four weeks.
The 31-year-old has been out of action since November 21 after departing in the final 10 minutes of Spurs' 2-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City.
Mourinho initially diagnosed the injury as "bad", indicating a significant period out, but later that week after re-assessing the problem changed his expected return to 2-4 weeks.
"Yeah he has a chance [for the weekend]," Mourinho said. "Not for tomorrow. Joe (Rodon) played against Chelsea and it wasn't an easy first match to play.
"Davinson (Sanchez) will play tomorrow. We have our options if he cannot play and we will not cry if he can't like against Chelsea."
Without Alderweireld, Mourinho's centre-back stocks have looked a little light with Eric Dier joined by Davinson Sanchez and then Joe Rodon in matches against Ludogorets and Chelsea.
Spurs kept clean sheets in both and haven't conceded since a 3-1 win over Ludogorets n November 5, four matches ago, but Alderweireld's impending return would boost Mourinho's options significantly.
Sanchez now appears to be on the periphery with his appearances limited to European competition while Rodon only made his full debut on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
