Micky van de Ven injury latest as Spurs star set to return

The injury crisis at Tottenham Hotspur is finally beginning to subside, offering a glimmer of hope for head coach Ange Postecoglou as the squad regains some much-needed depth.

Recent weeks have seen key players return to the fold, easing the burden on a team that has struggled to cope with an extensive injury list. Postecoglou, known for his wit, recently joked in a press conference that the light at the end of the tunnel no longer resembles an oncoming train, highlighting the improvement in the club’s situation.

Sunday’s victory over Manchester United provided clear evidence of this recovery, as Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison made their way back into the starting lineup.

Additionally, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert made appearances off the bench, while Destiny Udogie remained an unused substitute. These returns signify that Tottenham finally has options after weeks of being stretched thin.

However, the club is not entirely out of the woods, as several key players remain sidelined, including Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke, and Richarlison. Unfortunately, Radu Dragusin has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Among the absentees, Van de Ven stands out as the player fans are most eager to see return. The Dutch center-back has been a cornerstone of Tottenham’s defense, and his absence has been deeply felt.

His return for a brief 45-minute appearance against Elfsborg at the end of January offered hope, but he has not featured since then, leaving supporters anxious for updates on his condition.

Van de Ven has been plagued by a hamstring injury, a common issue among Spurs players this season. The 23-year-old has been largely unavailable since late October, with only one notable return—a 79-minute outing against Chelsea in December.

However, this reappearance may have come too soon, as he was sidelined again shortly afterward. Since his brief showing against Elfsborg, it remains unclear whether his ongoing absence is due to the hamstring issue or a separate thigh problem.

In total, Van de Ven has missed 24 matches across four competitions, a significant blow to Postecoglou’s plans. During this period, Tottenham has managed to secure just nine victories, highlighting the defensive instability caused by his absence. The strain on the remaining defenders, who have been forced to play consistently without adequate backup, has become increasingly apparent.

Addressing concerns about Van de Ven’s prolonged absence, Postecoglou recently clarified that the defender has not suffered a setback in his recovery. Instead, the focus has shifted to ensuring his long-term fitness and preventing recurring issues.

Postecoglou explained that the decision to temporarily halt Van de Ven’s return was made to address not only the injury but also the underlying mechanics of his movements. The goal, according to the manager, is to bring Van de Ven back in the best possible condition to sustain a long and successful career.

Postecoglou emphasized the importance of patience, stating, “Micky is still a young man in terms of footballing experience and his career. What we want is for him to play at the highest level for the next 10 years.

This gives us the opportunity to address what we can now, even in the middle of the season, to ensure he reaches his full potential.” He also noted that Van de Ven is training well and feeling good, with the club remaining optimistic about his imminent return.

The timeline for Van de Ven’s comeback appears promising. Speaking ahead of the match against Manchester United, Postecoglou revealed that the defender, along with Cristian Romero and Richarlison, is expected to return within two to three weeks.

With Van de Ven already back in full training, the upcoming fixture against Bournemouth on Sunday, March 9, seems like an ideal opportunity for his reintegration into the squad. However, Spurs may choose to exercise caution and delay his return until after the international break, which follows shortly after that match.

This would reduce the risk of aggravating his injury, though it could also make him available for a Netherlands call-up, a scenario that could jeopardize his recovery.

Tottenham’s injury woes have undoubtedly tested the team’s resilience this season, but the gradual return of key players like Van de Ven provides a much-needed boost. His absence has underscored the importance of squad depth, particularly in a campaign as demanding as this one.

While the club’s medical staff works diligently to ensure his full recovery, fans remain hopeful that Van de Ven’s return will restore stability to the defense and bolster Tottenham’s ambitions for the remainder of the season.

As the light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter, Postecoglou and his squad can begin to look forward to a more consistent and competitive lineup in the weeks ahead.