Insider provides fitness update | OneFootball

It feels like Tottenham Hotspur have had their squad crippled for forever and a day at the moment. The last time they had their full strength XI, or closest to that - was probably the game at home to West Ham United, where Ange went with: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son. Either way, certainly a lot closer than at the moment.

Two Spurs players very close to returning to the action

On Monday, reliable ITK Paul O Keefe gave the fans an update on two players who have been out for a while; saying that Richarlison is on track to be included in the squad for the North London derby, whilst Ben Davies is "close but not certain."

Quite a positive update on Davies, given it had been suggested he would be back at the end of the month, alongside Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven - whom O Keefe suggests are both still set to come back around then. Once again, it is crucial they are not back earlier than that if they are not fully fit to be.

The Welshman has been out since picking up an injury on the 5th of December in the defeat away to AFC Bournemouth. Pretty crazy to think that was only last month, it feels like so much longer. There have been 10 games since, in fairness.

As for Richarlison, it has just been a nightmare all year. Having featured in cameos during the opening two games against Leicester City and former club Everton, he was then not seen for two months, where he started and scored against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League, giving Spurs a 1-0 win.

Then, after cameos against Crystal Palace and Manchester City (Carabao Cup), he came on against Aston Villa, and assisted Dominic Solanke's second goal that made it 3-1. However, in doing so, he reinjured himself - and has not been since.

Perhaps he could have been back against Tamworth, in theory - but Ange was never going to play him on a plastic pitch, and absolutely rightly so. Having him back will be key to managing Solanke's minutes. The home game against Elfsborg on the 30th of January should be particularly earmarked as a game to start the Brazilian forward in, and give the number 19 some rest.