Tottenham confirmed that Ben Davies has returned to training ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Burnley, but Mauricio Pochettino says he “needs to assess” the player before deciding if he will make the matchday squad.
He told Spurs TV after Thursday’s training session: “We need to assess (him). There is still one training session more but (he is) doing well and I hope (he) will be available.”
Davies has been out of action since late-January, missing three Premier League games against Watford, Newcastle United and Leicester City. He was also absent for Tottenham’s FA Cup win over Crystal Palace (January 27) and their Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund (February 13).
Jan Vertonghen impressed at left-back against Borussia Dortmund in Davies’ stead and could keep his place against Burnley as a result. Danny Rose (illness) is being assessed ahead of Saturday’s meeting, but it’s unknown if he’ll be handed a start.
Davies has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season, 17 of which have come in the Premier League. His last league outing was against Manchester United on January 13, but he was an unused substitute against Fulham one week later.
He might be short of match sharpness ahead of Saturday’s game, so Pochettino may not want to take any risks, but he won’t make a decision on Davies until Friday regardless.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Out-of-favour Tottenham man could stay, Pochettino better off keeping him