Erik Lamela is in contention to return to the Tottenham team for their Champions League clash against Barcelona, it has been confirmed.
Spurs revealed in a post on their official Twitter account on Monday evening upon the squad’s arrival in Spain that the Argentine attacking midfielder has returned to training and been passed fit to face the Spanish champions.
TEAM NEWS:
?? @ErikLamela (thigh) has returned to training and is available for selection.
?? @Serge_Aurier (groin) is being assessed by medical staff and has not travelled.
?? @trippier2 (groin) is undergoing an individual preventive and conditioning programme. #COYS pic.twitter.com/S1kYIHBzP8
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 10, 2018
Mauricio Pochettino’s side must match the result of Inter Milan on Tuesday night to secure a second-placed finish in a group led by Barcelona, who have already qualified for the knockout stage.
OPINION
With six goals from 15 appearances this season, Lamela is having the most productive campaign of his Spurs career. He is adding greater cutting edge to a game that includes creativity, sharp movement as well as the feistiness that makes him a cult hero among a huge section of the club’s fanbase. That’s not to say he has put all the injury problems, which are never too far from the surface, behind him. Lamela has missed Spurs’ last three matches – against Arsenal, Southampton and Leicester – due to injury and his return comes at a time when Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son-Heung Min have made compelling cases to support spearhead Harry Kane at Camp Nou. Like Lucas Moura, Lamela might have to settle for a place on the bench. But the 26-year-old could still have a huge role to play as a substitute or impact player against Barcelona. It is a huge boost to Mauricio Pochettino to have his countryman back and available.