Toby Alderweireld has stepped up his comeback bid by returning to light training at Tottenham.
The Belgium international posted a picture on his personal Twitter account on Thursday afternoon that showed him running outdoors.
Alderweireld did not divulge any details about his fitness, or when he expected to return, but accompanied the image with the words “recovery continues”.
Recovery continues ???????? #COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/GwoufJRDDK
— Alderweireld Toby (@AlderweireldTob) December 21, 2017
The defender broke down in the first half of Spurs’ 3-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid on 1 November with a hamstring injury.
Mauricio Pochettino revealed earlier this month that the 28-year-old is not expected to return until the start of February but Alderweireld’s encouraging update will provide hope to fans that he could now be back in action far sooner.
OPINION
Spurs fans who watched their team suffer another marquee-match meltdown last weekend, when they were crushed by Manchester City, will be over the moon at Alderweireld’s update. The Belgian does not appear to be involved in ball work, or contact training, but the picture of him jogging strongly suggests that he is well on the road to recovery. How he has been missed over the last two months. Recent results have highlighted the importance of the centre-back, who is as comfortable pinging 60-yard crossfield passes on a sixpence as he is winning headers in both penalty boxes and snuffing out offensive danger. The Belgian’s status as one of the Premier League’s outstanding centre-backs is without question. Davison Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier are fine defenders but none are in the same class as Alderweireld.