Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LOVES THE GAME
399 days, 2 major .. but Erik has made operations, gruelling rehab it because he
ERIK LAMELA has a double reason to celebrate as he returns to the Spurs squad from his injury hell tonight – days after becoming a father.
Tottenham’s record £30million signing from Roma has not played for the first team since October 25 last year... 399 days ago.
The 25-year-old has started only 62 Premier
League games since arriving in 2013. And there were fears for his future when the injury-jinxed Argentinian underwent a double hip operation in the summer.
But after a single appearance in the Under-23s, Lamela declared after training yesterday that he is ready to return at Leicester.
Mauricio Pochettino paid tribute to his compatriot’s determination to battle back and fulfil his potential. The Spurs boss (below) revealed: “I had to pick him up in the summer – he was very down.
“He’s still so young but it was a massive problem for him. You know how he is, he loves to play football and staying away for a long time was difficult for him.
“If you remember the first season before we arrived he had a back injury. In four and a half years, he was injured for almost two years. “In general the players don’t care about money – they just care about playing football.
“Lamela was strong. To get two hip operations, you need to be strong. I never doubted he would return.
“We trusted in our medical staff and he was focused on recovery. After training he felt good and said, ‘OK, I am ready to move on and be available if you want’. On Saturday his wife had a baby, it is more good news for him.”
A flair player in the Spurs tradition, Lamela can share the creative burden with Christian Eriksen and Dele Ali – and play Pochettino’s pressing game.
His return will provide a boost for a side suffering a mini mid-season slump.
“I think for the team it is also important because we have a very busy schedule ahead,” Pochettino acknowledged.
“For the team, it is very healthy. I think we miss his energy, his energy is massive.”
Toby Alderweireld (hamstring) and Victor Wanyama (knee) are still out while young England midfielder Harry Winks (illness) will face a late fitness test.