Vincent Janssen has jetted out to Barcelona with the Tottenham first-team squad for their warm-weather training camp.
The frozen-out striker was spotted in images uploaded to the official Spurs website joining Harry Kane, Dele Alli and company taking part in a session at the Olympic Stadium on Monday.
Jansson has not made a single appearance for Tottenham this season and has not even been named in their matchday squad on a single occasion.
OPINION
Is Janssen’s inclusion in the senior squad that flew to Barcelona on Monday a hint that he could be heading for a first-team recall later this month? Spurs don’t have another match until 31 March, when they travel to Liverpool for a testing Premier League clash, so the Dutchman has an extended opportunity to convince Mauricio Pochettino behind the scenes. It still seems unlikely, especially with Harry Kane and Dele Alli fully fit after extended recent injury absences. Even then, Janssen couldn’t get a look-in, despite being fully fit and recovered from a foot injury since the turn of the year. Fernando Llorente and Son Heung-Min were the first-choice attackers when the English stars were absent, and it had appeared Janssen’s slim chance of a recall had disappeared. Yet, why take the Dutch striker, still only 24, to the training camp – it is noticeable that only senior players were present and none of the academy stars – if he is nowhere near the first-team reckoning. That wouldn’t make sense.