2 Spurs Defenders Return to First Team Training Ahead of CSKA Moscow Showdown
Mauricio Pochettino has received a welcome boost ahead of Wednesday night's clash with CSKA Moscow, welcoming two defenders back to first team duties.
Toby Alderweireld was pictured training with the rest of the squad ahead of the Champions League tie, while Spurs confirmed on
https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/806131023289389056
" target="_blank">Twitterthat full back Ben Davies also trained andis close to making a fullrecovery from injury.
TEAM NEWS: "@AlderweireldTob will be back in the squad which is very good news. @Ben_Davies33 is also close to being available again." #COYS pic.twitter.com/LawUPbNJrK
Belgian Alderweireld was one of the key performers for Tottenham last season andhad been out of actionfor two months, after injuring his knee in a 1-1 Premier League draw with West Brom back in October.
Davies, meanwhile, has been sidelined since an ankle knock in the Champions League defeat toLeverkusen ruled him out for six weeks.
Both defenders could feature in the squadon Wednesday night, but will most likely be reintroduced to first team action cautiously by Pochettino, who will have his eye on a busy Christmas period of football.
Spurs have failed toqualify for the knockout round of theChampions League but need to avoid defeat against their Russian oppositionto qualify for the Europa League.
The perceived merits ofthe Europa League are open to debate, and many Spurs fans would doubtless sacrifice success in Europe's second competition for an improved domestic finish.
Pochettino's men take onManchester United on Sunday and will be boosted at having a full complement of defenders at his disposal to keep out the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata.