Destiny Udogie is in line to return to the Tottenham starting XI after overcoming a hamstring problem that ruled him out of the latest international fixtures.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed an excellent campaign so far, starting the first nine Premier League games of the season and emerging as a key player for Ange Postecoglou.
However, he has endured a difficult couple of weeks more recently, with a muscle injury coupled with suspension limiting his game time.
Udogie was withdrawn after just 56 minutes against Fulham at the backend of October, having complained of tightness at half-time, and then missed the subsequent trip to face Crystal Palace.
Despite barely training in the build-up he returned to the side against Chelsea, though picked up two yellow cards and was given his marching orders as Spurs were reduced to nine men in a 4-1 defeat.
That dismissal meant he was suspended for Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Wolves last time out, though he likely would not have played anyway due to his hamstring problem.
Udogie was initially selected in Italy’s squad for crucial Euro 2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia and Ukraine but was forced to withdraw, with Luciano Spalletti confirming it was due to injury.
But he has now allayed fears over his hamstring issue and says he has fully recovered from the problem ahead of the visit of Aston Villa on Sunday.
Speaking to The Athletic this week, Udogie said he is ‘feeling really good’ and will ‘definitely’ be ready to face Villa.
Udogie also spoke about his relationship with Postecoglou and his adaptation as an inverted left-back, saying: ‘The first day I came in, he called me to speak with him and he told me I’m a key player for him. He explained what he wanted from me, and knowing I had the trust of the head coach was a big motivation.’
He added: ‘At the beginning playing as an inverted full-back was a bit different because I was a wing-back. As a wing-back I’m just on the side, but playing partly in midfield you have to be aware of what’s going on behind you.
‘You have to be ready before you receive the ball. You have to know what is behind you and in front of you and what you’re going to do. So it’s a bit like being a midfielder. At the beginning I was more operating close to the wing. But step by step, I move more inside, feel more secure. It’s going well. I’m enjoying it.’
While Udogie may be back, a number of other players remain sidelined for Spurs with Romero serving the second of his three-match ban and Micky van de Ven and James Maddison both out of action until the new year.
Guglielmo Vicario suffered from ‘flu symptoms’ while on international duty with Italy but is believed to have recovered from his illness, with Eric Dier and Ben Davies expected to continue at centre-back in front of him.
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