Sandro Tonali is available for Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed.
The Spurs boss is hoping his side can end their winless league run in the lunchtime kick off – live on talkSPORT – and his hopes have been boosted by the midfielder’s return to action.
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Tonali, who missed the midweek Carabao Cup defeat at Anfield with a ‘minor knock’, has played in all four of Tottenham’s Premier League fixtures this season.
He is yet to reach full fitness since his £100million arrival from Newcastle this summer.
And that has resulted in the club’s medical team taking extra caution with him due to risk of injury.
De Zerbi has been further boosted by the return of Pedro Porro after the World Cup winner missed the last two games with a muscular problem.
The Italian provided a wider update on his squad in his press conference on Friday including the latest on James Maddison’s availability.
Triple injury boost
“Porro, Tonali, and Maddison are all available to play,” he revealed.
“Normally, we have to understand the situation, but all of them are ready.”
Pressed on whether Maddison could start the match, the Spurs boss said: “Listen, James is working with the team the last 10, 15 days, maybe less than 15 days.
“And even if he is a technical player, he needs to be fit, to stay in a good condition.
“When he arrives to the best condition, it’s very important for us.
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“As a personality, as a characteristic, as a quality, as an experience. The quality of his passes are different than the others.”
Long-term absentee Dejan Kulusevski returned to first-team training this week but will not be available for Saturday’s match.
He joins Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert on the sidelines while Mykhailo Mudryk is expected to return after the international break.
The Swede has not featured in a competitive match in almost 12 months after struggling with an ongoing knee issue.
De Zerbi gives update on Kulusevki’s return
Whilst he has made a much-anticipated return to the training pitch, a return to action remains way off for the 26-year-old.
“We have to manage Deki in the best way we can, but this is a great thing for us because he is a good player and a good guy,” De Zerbi said.
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“He deserves to play again and we have to work day by day.
“Also for Deki the [international] break is important because when he is at top condition and over the injury, he will be like another new signing.”
