Tottenham injury update: Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Spurs could have some good news ahead of their Europa League last-16 tie with AZ Alkmaar

Micky van de Ven is finally closing in on a comeback

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Tottenham’s injury problems are easing ahead of the start of knockout stage of the Europa League.

Spurs are away at AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday and Ange Postecoglou’s options have been boosted by the return of some key players.

There are set to be further comebacks this week, with Postecoglou hoping for more good news going into what will be a defining period as Spurs bid to salvage some silverware from what has been a difficult season.

Spurs have been helped by an eight-day break before the first leg against Alkmaar which has given their returning players extra recovery time.

Ahead of a big week, here is the latest Tottenham injury news and return dates...

Micky van de Ven

Spurs have been extra cautious with Micky van de Ven due to his hamstring issues, but he is in line to finally return to action this week.

While Postecoglou has said Van de Ven has an “outside chance” of being fit for the first leg against Alkmaar, the centre-back has “much better odds” of returning against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

Van de Ven has not featured since a 45-minute cameo against Elfsborg on January 30

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“The first European game I’d say outside chance but certainly [he will] be back training fully by then and then we’ve got Bournemouth and I reckon much better odds for that,” said Postecoglou last week.

“And definitely, by the second European game [he] should be available to play.”

Potential return date: March 6, vs AZ Alkmaar (A) or March 9, vs Bournemouth (H)

Cristian Romero

Like Van de Ven, his centre-back partner Romero is closing in on a comeback.

Romero has been out with a quad injury since December and his recovery has been described a “slow burner” by Postecoglou.

But the Argentina defender was pictured back in Spurs training last week.

Romero is back in Spurs training after nearly three months out

Ben Whitley/PA Wire

He also has an “outside chance” for Alkmaar on Thursday but “much better odds” of facing Bournemouth on Sunday.

“With Romero and Van de Ven that’s the plan at this stage,” said Postecoglou last week.

“We’ve a little window where hopefully we can get something into them and still got two European games and three Premier League games between now and the international break so I really want them up and running by then.”

Potential return date: March 6, vs AZ Alkmaar (A) or March 9, vs Bournemouth (H)

Dominic Solanke

Dominic Solanke could also return this week but Spurs will be more cautious with him.

The £65million summer signing is ahead of schedule in his recovery from the knee injury he suffered in training in January.

Dominic Solanke is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury

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Solanke was expected to be out for around six weeks and, while he also has an “outside chance” of being fit for Thursday, Postecoglou says Spurs will be careful with the striker.

“Dom’s the only one where we’ve got to be careful because he’s ahead of schedule so I don’t want push that in case we need to pull the reins in a bit,” said Postecoglou last week.

Potential return date: March 6, vs AZ Alkmaar (A) or March 9, vs Bournemouth (H)

Richarlison

Richarlison has been sidelined since being forced off with a calf injury in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat at Liverpool last month.

But the Brazilian striker could be in the mix to return in the two games this week.

Potential return date: March 6, vs AZ Alkmaar (A) or March 9, vs Bournemouth (H)

Ben Davies

Ben Davies has missed the last three Spurs matches with an unspecified knock but the left-sided defender is set to return this week.

Postecoglou had hoped to have Davies back for last Wednesday’s game against Manchester City but did not want to risk him.

“He hasn’t re-injured,” said Postecoglou last week. “He’s just been carrying something that I don’t want to push at the moment.”

Potential return date: March 6, vs AZ Alkmaar (A)

Radu Dragusin

Radu Dragusin underwent successful surgery last month on a serious knee injury and will not play again this season.

Potential return date: Next season