Tottenham Hotspur has provided an important update on Micky van de Ven’s recovery ahead of their Premier League match against Fulham. The Dutch international has been sidelined since the Carabao Cup win over Manchester City in late October due to a hamstring injury. This issue has been a recurring problem for Van de Ven since his arrival at Spurs in the summer of 2023, with the defender having missed 15 matches due to three separate hamstring injuries. His absence has added to the defensive woes faced by manager Ange Postecoglou, with other key defenders like Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie also struggling with fitness issues.
The latest injury blow for Spurs has been the injury to goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who is expected to be out for the next two months due to a fractured ankle. However, the good news is that Van de Ven and Romero are both expected to return to action sooner than expected. Romero is the closest to a return, and Postecoglou expressed hope that the Argentine could feature against Fulham. While he acknowledged Romero’s progress, Postecoglou remained cautious, stating that it is still uncertain whether he would be fit in time for Sunday’s match.
Regarding Van de Ven’s recovery, Postecoglou provided further insight during a press conference, emphasizing that the defender is progressing well but that his return must be handled carefully. He mentioned that Van de Ven is continuing to work hard and is training again, but it remains a day-by-day process as they ensure the player meets all necessary requirements before reintegrating him into the squad. Postecoglou’s comments suggest that Spurs are being cautious, given Van de Ven’s injury history, and are focused on bringing him back in a way that minimizes the risk of a setback.
On Friday, Tottenham released a video showing parts of Van de Ven’s rehabilitation process, offering fans a glimpse of his progress. The 64-second montage depicted the defender working in the gym and then heading out onto the pitch at Hotspur Way for an individual session. Although the session was not with the full team, the intensity of the training and Van de Ven’s movements suggested that he is pushing towards a return to full team training soon. This is encouraging for Spurs fans, as it signals that the defender is making strides toward a return to match action, even if he is not yet ready for the Fulham match.
The upcoming holiday period will be a busy one for Tottenham, with a packed schedule of matches, and Postecoglou will be eager to have Van de Ven back in action to strengthen his defense. However, despite the defender’s apparent progress, it seems unlikely that he will be available for the Fulham match. Given the tight timeframe and the need for careful management of his return, the match against Fulham might come too soon for Van de Ven. Nonetheless, the news of his recovery is positive, and Spurs supporters will be hopeful that he will be available for selection in the near future.
