Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has given an update on the situation of Micky van de Ven ahead of the match against Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs will take on Premier League rivals United at home in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening.
Postecoglou has been holding a pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon, and the Tottenham boss had some very encouraging news on defender Van de Ven.
Injury update on Micky van de Ven
The £34.5 million (Sky Sports) centre-back is on the sidelines at the moment due to injury, but Postecoglou has said that the Netherlands international will be back in the New Year, adding that his current situation is not as serious as it was last time.
Football.London quotes Postecoglou as saying when asked about Van de Ven and Cristian Romero: “I think both will be in the new year.
“Not as significant an injury as last time with Micky but obviously having a setback the medical team is going to make sure he is right to go.”
The Spurs boss added: “Mikey is back in training.”
View: Good news for Tottenham Hotspur
Postecoglou’s update on Van de Ven’s situation is very positive for Tottenham fans. It seems that the defender is recovering well and will be back in action before long.
While the 23-year-old, who can also play as a left-back, will not feature against United in the Carabao Cup and is unlikely to play against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this month, he should be fit and ready to go from the start of 2025.
Van de Ven is one of the first names on the Tottenham teamsheet when he is fit and available. He is one of the quickest players in the Premier League, and his pace allows Spurs to play a high line.
While Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin have done well in central defence in the absence of Van de Ven and Romero, there is no doubt that the latter two players are the number one centre-backs in the Tottenham team.
Van de Ven’s return in January will enhance Tottenham’s chances of doing well in the second half of the season and finishing in the top four of the Premier League table.
The youngster has made 36 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. He has scored three goals, given two assists, and kept six clean sheets in those games.