Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart is hoping to return to first team action, quicker than originally anticipated after being ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring tear.

The Dutchman suffered the problem in the sides 5-1 defeat to Manchester City last week and MRI scans confirmed the full extent of the tear.

Having missed his country’s 11-0 mauling of San Marino last week, the former Real Madrid midfielder has revealed he is hoping to return to action in just over a fortnight.

“It feels okay now,” said Van der Vaart in De Telegraaf. “I hope in one to two weeks to make my comeback.

“The past has proven that I can quickly recover from such an injury.”

The 28-year-old is all but certain to miss his sides fixture away at Wolves on Saturday.