Toby Alderweireld could return for Tottenham in the FA Cup

We know that Harry Kane is out for Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup quarterfinal match against Swansea, but there’s another player who has a chance of returning to the squad in time to play in Wales.

Mauricio Pochettino told reporters that Belgian center back Toby Alderweireld has returned to full training with Tottenham this week, and that there might even be a chance that he could feature in Spurs’ back line against the Swans.

Is Toby Alderweireld back in training?

“Yes, back in training Tuesday with the team.”

Is he fit enough to play on Saturday?

“We’ll see, I need to decide. I still haven’t decided if he will be involved or not in the trip to Swansea.”

So that’s not exactly confirmation that he’ll be in the starting lineup, but for me it’s enough that he’s back in training and is working back to fitness. Having a healthy Toby available for Spurs’ run-in will be wonderful, regardless of the contract stuff that’s still hanging over his head.

Elsewhere in that press conference, Poch gave a little insight into what’s been going on with Harry Winks. Poor Winksy has been pushed to the margins of Tottenham’s midfield, but Poch said it’s a combination of a lack of confidence, and that he’s still dealing with a niggling ankle problem.

“Yes of course it’s tough for [Winks’ because he still doesn’t feel in the way he needs to feel. We’re trying to help him to feel perfectly. It’s a little bit sad because he tries and we try to help. But I think we’re going to fix the problem. Of course he’s not in his best mood. But it’s sure that with the help of the whole coaching staff, we’re going to help him to achieve again the same level, how he felt before the problem.

“It’s not only confidence, it’s because he feels something in his ankle that he cannot express himself in the way that he can.”

That makes me feel better. We thought maybe Winks was in Pochettino’s doghouse for some reason, but even in the few times we have seen him he hasn’t looked very good. The injury certainly doesn’t seem to be helping. It may keep Harry out of the World Cup squad this summer, but maybe with rest and time he can come back stronger.