Tottenham legend Ricky Villa has claimed there is “concern” at the club that Erik Lamela may never play again.
FA Cup hero Villa made the astonishing revelation about his fellow Argentine on national radio as the 25-year-old battles back from a hip injury that has sidelined him for 11 months.
Lamela has not played since last October and underwent hip surgery at the end of last season in a bid to cure him of the problem that has baffled doctors.
In an interview with AM950 radio, via Bola VIP, Villa, 65, said: “Unfortunately, Erik Lamela was operated on the hip. There is concern to know if he will play again.
“In England they are worried about him, but, because of how the medicine is today, hopefully he can return.”
Tottenham gave a clear indication that Lamela is still some way off fitness by omitting him from their Champions League squad on Monday for the competition’s group stages.
OPINION
Villa’s claims will be dismissed as scare-mongering in some parts and there may indeed be little to substantiate them. But alarm bells are ringing over the fitness of Lamela, whose recovery from a seemingly innocuous injury has taken nearly a year and there is no suggestion he is close to challenging for a first-team return. Spurs’ decision to omit him from their squad for the pre-Christmas stage of the Champions League was telling. Had he been on the verge of a comeback, that decision is unlikely to have been taken. Spurs fans might not put too much credence in Villa’s contentious suggestion – despite his status and Argentine nationality – but until they see Lamela in a white shirt again, they will not rest easy.