Rodrigo Bentancur could play for Tottenham as early as November 28 thanks to a little-known loophole after receiving a seven-match ban from the Football Association.
The Spurs player was handed the suspension and a £100,000 fine after an independent commission upheld the FA's charges relating to an allegedly racist remark made during a Uruguayan television interview.
Bentancur was asked by the interviewer for the shirt of his team-mate Son Heung-min and responded with the comment that it could from the South Korean's 'cousin' as 'they all look the same'.
The 27-year-old apologised to Son both on social media and in person but Mail Sport revealed earlier this month that the organisation were set to hit Bentancur with a lengthy ban regardless.
Due to the charge being an 'aggravated breach', the independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case, resulting in the robust punishment.
But Ange Postecoglou could be able to call upon the former Juventus man sooner rather than later despite the ban being effective immediately.
Bentancur's ban will only apply for domestic features, but - while keeping the player out of Premier League and Carabao Cup action - will not impact Tottenham's European travails.
This means that Bentacur could yet feature in Tottenham's upcoming Europa League matches against Roma and Rangers.
Bentancur has denied the charge and can appeal the ruling if he so chooses.
Postecoglou will be relieved that he is able to call up one of his first-team stalwarts with Spurs hovering just above the play-off places in the league's table with two matches left to play.
Bentacur has been a reliable presence for the Antipodean manager this season, featuring in 10 of the club's 11 Premier League matches thus far.
An FA spokesperson shared news of the ban in a statement on Monday, writing: 'An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.
'It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.
'It was further alleged that this constitutes an 'aggravated breach', which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference - whether express or implied - to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.
'Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.'
While on international duty with his national side this week, the Tottenham midfielder revealed that he had been informed by his agent that the punishment will be harsh.
'My agent rang me and told me he had been notified that this was the sanction.' The 27-year-old said. 'So far, the club haven't contacted me. I already knew more or less where it was going.
'Now the sanction is out, I want to be calm here with the national team. Then we'll see when it's time to go back.'
After the initial event, Tottenham released a statement of their own on social media, informing that they were aiding the process in pursuit of a 'positive outcome'.
'Following a comment from Rodrigo Bentancur in an interview video clip and the player’s subsequent public apology, the Club has been providing assistance in ensuring a positive outcome on the matter,' the club wrote.
'This will include further education for all players in line with our diversity, equality and inclusion objectives.
'We fully support that our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident and that the team can focus on the new season ahead.
'We are extremely proud of our diverse, global fanbase and playing squads. Discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club, within our game or within wider society.'