Lamela is back on the Tottenham squad

CAIRO – 28 November 2017: The Argentinean player Erik Lamela is ready to play again with Tottenham, after having operations on both hips and spending a year out, announced his coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Lamela, who came to the Spurs in 2013 via a transfer worth €33 million ($40 million) from Rome, played for the last time in October 2016; he has resumed training at the beginning of October this year.

"It's very good news, he's available," Pochettino said at a press conference before the Leicester City match in the 14th round of the English Premier League.

"After training he felt good and said (I’m OK, I'm ready to move and I’m available whenever you want)," added Pochettino.

The recovery of Lamela, 25, has not been easy. He was required to stay in Rome in January to receive treatment at his old club.

He also had to travel to Argentina last December after his brother was hospitalized.

Despite his long absence, Pochettino has always maintained the hope that his compatriot will recover 100%. "I never had any doubts, we believed in our medical team and he is a very competitive player, always focused on his recovery," Pochettino explained.

"It is true that after a year it is difficult for a player to be fit and recover the sensations of competition, it is never easy and expectations must be low," he continued.