Erik Lamela is ‘being assessed’ ahead of Tottenham’s meeting with Sheffield United on Saturday, the club confirmed earlier in the week. The 27-year-old has a hamstring injury that has kept him out of Spurs’ last three games in all competitions, but he could be nearing a recovery.
Whether Mauricio Pochettino would risk exacerbating Lamela’s hamstring problem so close to the international break remains to be seen, however. After Saturday’s meeting with United, Tottenham won’t play again for two weeks. Lamela should make a full recovery in that time, so it makes sense for Pochettino to wait.
The Argentine international has made 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating six goals. Lamela has impressed early into the season, but his muscle problems have kept him out of action for a number of weeks. His last outing for Spurs came in their 5-0 home win over FK Crvena zvezda (October 22).
Lamela has since missed Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool (October 27), 1-1 draw with Everton (November 3) and their 4-0 away win over Crvena zvezda (November 6). He’s unlikely to face the Blades over the weekend but should feature against West Ham in 15 days.