Jan Vertonghen has returned to full training after almost two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed.
The Belgium international has not featured for Spurs since suffering the problem against Huddersfield Town on 29 September, missing nine games in all competitions.
But speaking in a news conference to preview Tottenham’s clash with rivals Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, Pochettino was upbeat about Vertonghen’s recovery.
Asked if Vertonghen could feature against the Blues at Wembley, Pochettino replied: “It is very good news, he has been training with the group. We have to wait until tomorrow [Friday] to see whether he can be involved.
“Jan is such an important player for us. We have a very busy period ahead so it's important to recover our players.”
Tottenham also confirmed that Danny Rose is close to a return to full training after more than a month out with a groin injury, while Kieran Trippier is aiming to return to full training before the end of November as he manages a groin problem of his own.
Davinson Sanchez faces a fight to be available before the New Year after scans confirmed the severity of the hamstring injury he picked up in training earlier this month.
There is no definitive timetable for the return of Mousa Dembele, who is undergoing specialist treatment in Qatar for an ankle issue.
