Under-fire Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will be helped by key players returning from injury ahead of Sunday’s vital match against Manchester United.
Postecoglou was without 11 players for last weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat at Aston Villa, which followed a League Cup semi-final loss to Liverpool.
This week, however, the Australian trained alongside Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, and Brennan Johnson.
Italy goalkeeper Vicario has not played since fracturing his ankle against Manchester City in November, requiring Postecoglou to rely on three substitutes, including new January addition Antonin Kinsky.
Postecoglou, relieved to have some of his walking wounded finally available as Tottenham attempt to relieve rising pressure on their boss, acknowledged the week off since their last game was a significant benefit.
“It’s been a good week, fair to say, for the health and well-being of the young men I look after,” Postecoglou told reporters on Friday.
“The guys who have been playing have benefited from a couple of days off.”On the injury front, it’s great to have some key players back for training because it improves the quality and level of our training, but Vicario trained exceptionally well and is ready to go.
“Madders (Maddison) is good to go. Then we had Destiny, Wilson, and Brennan train with the group, and they’re also at a fantastic place, so it’s been a terrific week of training.
Tottenham’s treatment room is still full, with centre-backs Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, and Cristian Romero all out.
Postecoglou’s club, which is 14th in the Premier League, is also without attackers Richarlison, Timo Werner, and Dominic Solanke for United’s trip to north London.
Tottenham’s treatment of Van de Ven during his long layoff has been questioned. On January 30, he recovered from a seven-week hamstring injury to play in the first half of a 3-0 win over Elfsborg.
Van de Ven has not played since, and Postecoglou stated that the Dutch defender has been evaluated externally.
“We’ve had a couple of people externally have a look at him and give him some guidance and information—and to our staff as well—about things he can do differently, which will help him make sure his body is better equipped to handle the kind of athlete he is,” Postecoglou noted.
“You know, whilst it may look with Micky like we had a false start with the Elfsborg thing, I think it gave us an indication of where he is at.”
