SHOCKING BRENTFORD MIRACLE: Thomas Frank’s Wildest Dream Comes TRUE as Spurs’ SUPERSTARS SLAM BACK into Training – DOUBLE TROUBLE for Rivals?!
Tottenham training receives a boost with key players returning ahead of West Ham derby
Radu Dragusin has finally returned to Tottenham training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while Cristian Romero is back at Hotspur Way earlier than expected from international duty.
Following the international break, Spurs players will gradually report back to the training ground, but captain Romero is already involved in sessions with defensive coach Matt Wells.
The Argentine defender played in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier, helping his side keep a clean sheet in their 3-0 win over Venezuela at the Mas Monumental.
However, a yellow card in the 64th minute was his second in three matches, ruling him out of Argentina’s next game against Ecuador.
That suspension benefits Tottenham. Instead of returning only two days before the weekend’s Premier League clash at West Ham United, Romero will now enjoy a full week of preparation ahead of Saturday night’s London derby.
He was joined in training by fellow centre-back Dragusin, who has been out of action since January after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Europa League victory over Elfsborg.
His long recovery has finally reached the point where he can reintegrate with the squad.
Prior to the international break, manager Thomas Frank had given an update on the 23-year-old’s recovery, noting: “Dragusin is on the way back and has been running for a while.
I think he should be with the team within a week or 10 days, so that’s positive.
But with an ACL, I’m always cautious—it takes time. After nine months away, it’s not enough to just have a six-week pre-season.
You need longer to really be back, though sometimes players surprise and return faster.”
Another centre-back, summer signing Kota Takai, is also expected to resume training shortly.
The 21-year-old Japan international, who joined Spurs in a £5million move from Kawasaki Frontale, has struggled with a plantar fascia problem since his arrival.
Despite the positive progress, both Dragusin and Takai were excluded from Frank’s Champions League squad.
The head coach was forced to omit six players due to UEFA’s registration restrictions, and the recovering defenders were among those left out.
With Romero back early, Dragusin stepping up his recovery, and Takai nearing a return, Tottenham’s defensive options are beginning to look much stronger as the season heads into a crucial phase.
