According to WeAreTottenhamTV, there are target return dates for Tottenham Hotspur duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. The former is targeting a return on the 27th of January, whilst the latter is targeting a return on the 20th of January.
Targets set for three different Tottenham Hotspur players
During the Carabao Cup victory over Manchester City back at the end of October, we saw van de Ven pull his hamstring around ten minutes in, having been deployed at left-back for that game. The defender's 79 minutes played in the defeat to Chelsea on the 8th of December, is the only game he has played since then. Taking that game out, he has been out of action for longer than the hamstring injury that kept him out of action for two months last season.
As for Romero, he picked up a foot injury on international duty, when Argentina lost to Paraguay. His 15 minutes in that defeat to Chelsea, are, again, the only minutes he has played since that game. Pretty suboptimal all round.
So, should van de Ven be available from the 27th - he would miss the games against Tamworth, Arsenal, Everton, Hoffenheim and Leicester, with a view to being back for the Europa League game against Elfsborg on the 30th of January.
Then, should Romero be back for the 20th, he would also miss the games against Tamworth, Arsenal, and Everton - but could in theory be back for the Europa League game against Hoffenheim on the 23rd of January.
It cannot be overstated enough how important is that they are 100% back. Spurs cannot risk aggravating their injuries by bringing them back too soon. This is not saying Ange did this in the game against Chelsea, it is not worth bringing that divided debate up again, it is just simply crucial that it does not happen on this occasion.
They are, undoubtedly, the club's best centre backs, and in turn, best duo - but would you rather lose them for an extra couple of games - or an extra couple of months? It is so important that they are both available for the Carabao Cup semi final second leg against Liverpool. Whilst Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray performed admirably in the first leg, this is the club's biggest game for years, and they will need their best available XI for the game.
Also, it was also suggested that Wilson Odobert is targeting a return on the 10th of February. Now that seriously is one not to rush. That cameo against AZ Alkmaar is his only appearance since the middle of September. Spurs are going to need depth in the business end of the season, including Odobert. This one feels ambitious, given some other reports.
Finally, whilst Guglielmo Vicario's return is TBC, "likely February" was also reported, so let's see.