Micky van de Ven is back on the Tottenham bench, which is a big boost for head coach Ange Postecoglou.
The Dutch central defender has been out since he suffered a hamstring injury in the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on 6 November.
Van de Ven, who signed from Wolfsburg in the summer, started the campaign superbly, helping Spurs to the top of the Premier League standings and their best start to a season since 1960-61. Without him, their form has flattened somewhat.
Ahead of Friday’s FA Cup third round home game against Burnley, Postecoglou said: “Micky has been training this week.
With Cristian Romero also currently out with a hamstring injury, Postecoglou has used full backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies in central defence for the last two games, so Van de Ven’s return for Spurs is very welcome.
The club has prioritised a new central defender in the January transfer window and talks are ongoing over a deal for 21-year-old Genoa defender Radu Dragusin.
Postecoglou also confirmed that neither James Maddison nor Romero have yet returned to training with the group, while striker Alejo Veliz does not require surgery but faces a few months out due to a knee injury he sustained against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Dejan Kulushevski is available again against Burnley after suspension, while Rodrigo Bentancur made a surprise early return from injury in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
Spurs are also without Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon through injury, while centre-backs Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr are away at the Africa Cup of Nations and captain Heung-min Son is with South Korea at the Asian Cup.