Published: 5 December, 2013
by DAN CARRIER

ANDRE Villas-Boas takes his team to struggling Sunderland on Saturday with full-back Danny Rose in contention to start his first game for almost three months.

AVB told the New Journal after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Man Utd that the defender had been due to return last week but tweaked a muscle as he tried to get back to match fitness.

“He is recovering well and we hope to have him ready for Sunderland,” said the Spurs coach.

Rose was a popular loanee for the Black Cats last year, and will no doubt be eager to play against them in the evening kick-off game.

Meanwhile, striker Roberto Soldado has been told that if he keeps plugging away, the goals will come.

The £26m hitman has only scored four goals this term, including three penalties, but AVB has said he is pleased with Soldado’s performances and that a bedding-in period was to be expected.

“The reality is, it is a complete change from La Liga to the Premier League,” said AVB. “What we have to do is work on his movement and the amount of passes he receives.”  

Tottenham rookie Tom Carroll this week returned to first team action at QPR, where he is on loan, following a two-­month spell on the sidelines.

Spurs’ coaches are hoping the midfielder will benefit from his period at Loftus Road in the same way that Andros Townsend did.