"Back at Hotspur Way...": Gold drops early Spurs team news that'll have Conte buzzing - opinion

Alasdair Gold has delivered a hugely encouraging update on Tottenham defender Cristian Romero amid his recent call-up to the Argentina squad.

Writing initially on Twitter, Gold revealed: “A little piece on Cristian Romero, who is expected to be back at Hotspur Way tomorrow and involved in training.”

Then, in a follow-up piece for Football.London, he added: “Cristian Romero is expected to train with Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side on Tuesday after his latest farcical international break with Argentina.

“The centre-back was called up for Argentina despite being suspended for both of their matches during this international break, as they awaited an appeal over his ban. That appeal was rejected and football.london understands that Romero is now expected to be back at Hotspur Way on Tuesday and involved in training with his Tottenham team-mates.”

Romero’s return to Spurs earlier than expected meant that he missed Argentina’s clash against Ecuador on early Wednesday morning – a game if he had played, would have seriously put into doubt his status and condition for the Lilywhites’ Premier League clash against Newcastle on Sunday.

The centre-back has quickly established himself as the cornerstone of this Spurs defence when he’s been fit and available, starting the last nine games in the Premier League and completing the full 90 minutes in all but one of them – that was the game against Everton when the north London side had put the game to bed in the first-half and Conte could withdraw him early in the second period.

Romero having those extra few days back at Spurs to just further rest and ensure he is fully fit for Sunday is a welcome boost for Conte, who knows that Spurs have a real chance of clinching Champions League