Tottenham Boost Ahead of Premier League Opener

Tottenham have been handed a timely boost ahead of their Premier League opener at Brentford, with Mateus Fernandes, James Maddison and Destiny Udogie all back in training. The cloud hanging over the squad is Micky van de Ven, who remains a serious doubt for the trip across London.

New head coach Roberto De Zerbi has spent much of pre-season juggling fitness concerns around his core players. Maddison and Fernandes have had their minutes carefully rationed, while Van de Ven and Udogie did not feature at all in the warm-up games.

Udogie is being handled with particular care after a run of muscular problems last season. Maddison is on a similar path, still building up from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered last summer. Both are edging closer, both want to be on the teamsheet at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Fernandes, a summer signing, is in the same bracket. A calf problem has disrupted his last few weeks, but his return to full training puts him firmly in contention for a debut.

The concern sits at centre-back. Van de Ven was not seen in training at Hotspur Way and has yet to feature under De Zerbi since returning from the World Cup. Despite recently signing a lucrative new contract, the Netherlands international looks unlikely to be risked against Brentford.

Up front, there is another question mark. Dominic Solanke has been used sparingly in pre-season after missing most of last year with ankle and hamstring injuries, leaving his involvement uncertain as well.

Spurs head to Brentford on Saturday evening with intent. After an aggressive summer in the market – £237million spent on six new signings – the north London club want more than a solid start. They want proof that last season’s 17th-place finish is the line in the sand, not the standard.