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Football

01st Feb 2019

Vincent Janssen could be set for an unlikely Tottenham comeback

In from the cold?

Simon Lloyd

The Dutch striker is yet to play for Tottenham this season

Another transfer window has come and gone and Tottenham have failed to strengthen their squad.

And given that Harry Kane and Dele Alli are both nursing injuries of late, Mauricio Pochettino probably could have done with an extra body or two to lighten the load of his (fully-fit) attacking players.

For a brief time on deadline day, there was talk that Michy Batshuayi might be the man to bolster their depleted ranks, only for Chelsea’s extortionate loan fee to scupper the move and point him in the direction of a temporary switch to Crystal Palace.

All this considered, Pochettino has now conceded that forgotten man Vincent Janssen may now be ready to step in from the cold to help his club.

Jannsen

The Dutch striker endured a dismal first season with Spurs after arriving from AZ Alkmaar in 2016 – so dismal, in fact, that he spent the next season loaned out to Turkish giants, Fenerbahce. Despite a promising start to life in Istanbul, he missed months of the season with an injury.

Having returned to Tottenham in the summer of last year, he is yet to make an appearance for the club after undergoing minor  foot surgery in August.

Speaking ahead of Spurs’ game with Newcastle on Saturday, Pochettino revealed Janssen would be training with Spurs’ first team.

“When we now have two free places… he’s going to be on the list,” The Spurs boss said. “That is my decision, that he’s going to be involved with the first team from today.”

This represents a significant U-turn from the Argentine, who had said last week that the striker was not in his plans. Failure to move him on in the January window and bring any reinforcements in has seemingly prompted a rethink. If Spurs’ injury woes worsen, Janssen may earn himself an unexpected recall to action.