Tottenham get injury boost for Arsenal clash as Ange Postecoglou confirms comeback | OneFootball

Key player returns for north London derby but Spurs await scan results on another hamstring injury

Tottenham have been boosted by the return of Richarlison ahead of the north London derby against Arsenal.

Richarlison has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since November but the Brazilian is back in training and in available to make the Spurs squad at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

His return to fitness is a boost for Ange Postecoglou, who also hopes to have Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies back this month.

But Timo Werner will miss the Arsenal game after suffered a hamstring injury, with Spurs waiting to learn the full extent of the issue.

Richarlison has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa on November 3

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Speaking on Tuesday, Postecoglou said: “"In terms of incoming, Richarlison is available.

“He has kind of been harassing me for the last 10 days to be involved but we have been disciplined with that and he has looked really good in training. He looks ready to go so really happy to get him back involved.

“Timo picked up a hamstring injury and we are waiting on the results of that scan..”

Richarlison also struggled with a calf issue at the beginning of the season and has been restricted to only six substitute appearances and one start in all competitions this campaign.

His return will help ease the load on Dominic Solanke, with Postecoglou talking previously about the need to provide the £65million signing with a rest.

Postecoglou said: "He has had obviously an unfortunate season for us. Last season he played, even this season when he played for us and did his hamstring (while providing an assist), it’s not just his fighting and scrapping, he has quality as well.

"Just having an extra attacking player - with him and Mikey [Moore] available now - makes such a difference in what we can do during games, between games, in terms of the way we play. We have taken our time with him this time for sure.

Spurs have given their squad extra recovery time after playing on a plastic pitch in Sunday’s FA Cup win at National League part-timers Tamworth, which went to extra-time.

Asked about the impact of the artificial surface, Postecoglou said: “Not too bad. It takes a fair bit out of the players so we have done some extra recovery and we won’t train until this afternoon to give the boys a chance to recover because the pitch takes a bit out of you.”