Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed the expected return date for Micky van de Ven.
The Dutch defender is out injured since the Chelsea game when he picked up a hamstring injury and was forced off before half-time.
After initial scans, it was deemed that a surgery would not be required but he would still be out for a couple of months with his return expected to be in February.
Recent reports however suggested that the player is ahead of schedule in his recovery and could make a return as soon as January.
The player himself revealed last week during his appearance at the Darts that he will be back in two weeks.
Postecoglou, while cautious about affirming return dates based on the player’s assessment, mentioned the likelihood of van de Ven’s return for the Manchester United game on January 14.
However, the manager hinted at a cautious reintegration into the starting lineup considering the defender’s prolonged absence.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Brighton game, Ange said (via Football London):
“I’ve said before I wouldn’t be taking players’ views on their recovery process. He’s getting closer, we’ll see him sometime in January. I don’t think Burnley but Man United on the 14th I think potentially. But again, I don’t ok at comeback dates until I see them training with us and he’s not part of the group. He’s not due to be part of the group this week, we’ll see how he’s going by the end of the week.
Once they start training with the group we’ll think about when they’ll be available. He’s at the tail end of it for sure so at some point – middle of January definitely we’d think he’d be available but how we use him then, after such a long absence, is going to depend on where we feel he’s at.”
Van de Ven’s impending return comes a boost for Tottenham’s defensive setup, especially in the wake of the injury setback suffered by Cristian Romero, who is expected to be sidelined for four to five weeks following a hamstring injury sustained against Everton.
