Promising Spurs midfielder set for return against Sunderland

Good news today if you're an Alex Pritchard fan! Sky Sports Spurs journo Lyall Thomas today tweeted that the attacking midfielder, who's been out for much of the season with a foot injury, is set for a return to full training next week and could be in the frame to play against Sunderland on January 16.

Alex Pritchard returning to full training next week & hopes to be contention for #SAFC game. Won't be loaned out. In Poch's plans #THFC

— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) January 7, 2016

Pritchard was tapped to be one of Spurs' emerging young stars this season after a year in which he excelled in the Championship while on loan with Brentford. He scored 12 goals for the Bees, helping them progress to the promotion playoffs where they lost to Middlesbrough, and it was widely assumed that he was in Mauricio Pochettino's first team plans at Tottenham. Instead, he picked up a nasty ankle injury while playing for England in the U21 Euro Championships, one that eventually required surgery.

Pritchard plays primarily in the hole, and he's known as a very technically proficient midfielder who loves progressive passing, especially in what Michael Caley calls the "danger zone." It's a shame that injury has curtailed his season, as it was widely thought that he could add a lot to the front attacking band as an impact substitute or a rotation option for Christian Eriksen. He's unlikely to be "Pochettino match fit" anytime soon, but just getting him out on the pitch for actual meaningful match minutes is a great thing. I'm excited to see what he can do.