Tottenham have been handed some welcome injury news after Ange Postecoglou revealed defender Mickey van de Ven is available for their Europa League game against Elfsborg.
The influential centre-back has been absent for Spurs since October, with his absence part of a huge injury crisis that has ravaged the club in recent months.
After six defeats in seven in the Premier League, under-pressure Postecoglou has spoken of the need to have players available again and was finally able to share positive news about the Dutch defender.
He said: “Micky [van de Ven] is good to go so we will try and get him some minutes tomorrow.
“He has a good week/10 days training and he’s in good condition so he’s fine.”
His usual defensive partner Cristian Romero remains out for next the few games at least, though, Postecoglou revealed.
“Cristian is still a bit of a slow burner. We are mindful that his injury was just a bit different and he’s still got to tick a few boxes.
“He’s not for the horizon at the moment in terms of this weekend, we’ll see how he goes after.”
Postecoglou said Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma are also available for Spurs but James Maddison will be out for a little while.
The Australian manager addeD: “James Maddison has got a calf strain so he will be out for 2-3 weeks. Pape Sarr is OK, he’s got a niggle but he’s OK and available. Yves Bissouma is available. I think that is it for tomorrow night at this stage.”
An update from Ange on Micky van de Ven’s availability 🗣️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 29, 2025
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‘Top eight is really important’
Tottenham are currently sixth in the Europa League standings, a point inside the top eight ahead of their final game against Elfsborg.
A win would guarantee their place in the last 16 of the competition but anything other than that at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would put them in danger of slipping out of the top eight.
Speaking about the current pressure he is under, Postecoglou said: “Me personally? No different to any other game. It’s a game we want to win and we’ll go into it with the same intent.
“It’s a competition we’ve done really well in, we’re in a great position and we want to solidify that position and finish in the top eight.
“It’s in our hands tomorrow night. A win makes it certain, a draw will probably be good enough as well.
“Finishing in the top eight for us is hugely important because it gives us a good foothold in the tournament but also gives us a couple of weeks where we don’t have midweek games and at this point, is really important.
“My message would be to all Spurs fans because I represent all Spurs fans, not just the angry ones that you are referring to.
“We are working hard to turn this around. We know the situation and we are notwithstanding the fact that the possibilities and opportunities in the second half of the season are very much in our hands to capitalise on and make it a successful season.”
Tottenham transfer news
Postecoglou has also spoken of the need for incomings and says the club are working hard to get bodies through the door before the deadline.
“Everyone is trying their utmost. I don’t think anyone is working against me’, Postecoglou said. “I don’t think anyone wants me to fail. In this kind of situation it’s a tough gig being a manager because you can be very isolated, you can be very vulnerable – I don’t feel that.
“The playing group and the people I work with are doing their utmost to guide us through this. From my perspective, my focus is firmly on what I can control and what I can control is making sure I’m preparing a team for a really big game tonight.”
On how close potential incomings are, he said: “I would be disingenuous if I said anything other than, right now, nothing is imminent. That doesn’t mean that opportunities are being explored.
“Traditionally, the last few days of any window tend to be frenetic and I expect us to be involved in that. Does that mean anything will get concluded? I can’t commit to that.
“I’m a bit of a distance from it but the information and dialogue I have is that we are exploring all the opportunities to bring some help in for the players.”
