Richarlison expected to be fit for Tottenham vs West Ham
Tottenham Hotspur will be back in action on Saturday as they host London rivals West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, hoping to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League after the international break.
Ange Postecoglou has been handed a double injury boost ahead of the clash with the Hammers, with Richarlison expected to be fit. Richarlison has been absent since making a substitute appearance against his former employers Everton in Spurs’ second game of the season. A calf injury picked up in training has seen the Brazilian forward miss his side’s last eight games across all competitions.
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However, the 27-year-old is now fit again and is expected to be available for selection for the weekend’s Premier League game.
“I guess the main ones, Sonny [Son Heung-min] and Richy [Richarlison], have done some good work and trained with the group which is a real positive for us,” Ange Postecoglou delivered positive injury updates on the two forwards (h/t The Metro).
“Sonny was always hopefully going to get through this international break really well and be ready, and Richy has done some good work, so hopefully both are available for the weekend.”
Spurs have lacked depth in the forward areas of late due to injury problems, with the likes of Richarlison, Son and Wilson Odobert sidelined. Richarlison, in particular, has barely played this season. He missed the entirety of Spurs’ pre-season tour of Asia with a hamstring issue, and after making substitute appearances against Leicester City and Everton, the forward endured another setback.
Injury problems and inconsistency have been the theme of the Brazil international’s time at White Hart Lane. The £90,000 per-week star has had a lot of time to recover from his calf problem at Hotspur Way and we expect him to pass a late fitness test.
It seems likely that he will start on the bench against West Ham as Big Ange will be extremely cautious with his fitness. The Spurs boss must manage Richarlison well and slowly integrate him back into the team to avoid another injury setback.
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If he makes the substitutes’ bench, Richarlison will be able to offer some support and cover for record-signing Dominic Solanke, which has been severely lacking thus far this campaign.