Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Erik Lamela is in contention to make the Tottenham starting XI for their clash against Leicester City – and fans have taken to Twitter to express their delight.
The Spurs manager delivered his most encouraging Lamela update yet as he reported at his media briefing on Monday lunchtime the “very good news” that the player has “stepped up” and in line to make the trip to the King Power Stadium for Tuesday night’s Premier League fixture.
TEAM NEWS: “Good news that @ErikLamela has stepped up and is in contention for tomorrow. Always in a very busy schedule you need everyone fit to help the team and that is very good news for the team.” – Mauricio pic.twitter.com/prWeBuKwQI
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 27, 2017
The Argentina international has not played for 13 months after undergoing double hip surgery but stepped up his recovery with an outing for Spurs’ Under-23s against Chelsea nine days ago.
Manager Pochettino suggested that the attacking midfielder was in line to return against West Brom at Wembley on Saturday but he did not make the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw.
Tottenham are fifth in the top flight with 24 points from 13 matches, behind Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as runaway leaders Manchester City.
However, the manager’s upbeat update on Lamela went down well with Spurs fans following a series of league results that have dented the team’s title challenge.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
I said it before his injury and I stand by it, when he is fit he is more creative than Eriksen. He raises the tempo that we play through his pressurising of defence. Welcome back @ErikLamela
— Daniel Green (@danjgreen1) November 27, 2017
— Andy (@andy_thfc) November 27, 2017
— Shelley Johnson (@shelleyj89) November 27, 2017
Christmas has come early.
— Ant (@AnthonyCOYS) November 27, 2017
YEEEEES COCO IS BACK
— OnomahIsABaller (@SpursD22) November 27, 2017
what a beautiful tweet
— k???????? (@Lamelaaaaa) November 27, 2017