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Micky van de Ven is starting for Tottenham for the first time since early December in a pivotal boost to Ange Postecoglou and his injury-hit band of stars.
The defender has not played since the 4-3 defeat by Chelsea on December 8 after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Postecoglou has named him at the heart of his defence alongside Ben Davies as Spurs prepare to welcome IF Elfsborg in the Europa League tonight.
The Dutchman returned to training on Tuesday.
Asked about Van de Ven in the build-up to the clash, Postecoglou told TNT Sports: ‘We’ll see, probably 45 (minutes) will do him tonight.
‘He’s worked awfully hard in training, ticked every box, he’s kind of been ready for a while but we’d earmarked this game as his introduction to the team.
Micky van de Ven is back in Tottenham’s starting line-up against Elfsborg in the Europa League
The defender has not played since December 8 and Spurs’ form since then has been a disaster
It is a major boost to Ange Postecoglou and his injury-hit team after a tricky few months
‘Looking forward to getting him back, the whole group is pretty keen to see him back in the side.
Spurs have been on a torrid run of form during his absence, winning just one of their last eight Premier League matches – and losing their most recent five.
‘There’s a big buzz about having Van De Ven back around the stadium,’ peter Coruch told TNT Sports.
‘He’s the key man, the way Ange wants to play, the team revolves around him being fit. His pace, they can be on the front foot, he’s integral to what they’re trying to do.
The north Londoners remain without Van de Ven’s central defensive Cristian Romero, who went down with an injury in the same game.
The welcome news comes amid a report that James Maddison could be sidelined for up to three weeks with a calf issue sustained in Tottenham’s win over Hoffenheim last week.
The club’s remarkable list of absentees also include Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
‘With the amount of injuries they’ve got out, you do feel a bit sorry for them,’ Glenn Hoddle told TNT Sports.
If Tottenham beat Elfsborg, they will automatically qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League and skip a two-leg round of play-offs.
