Benoit Assou-Ekotto on the verge of Tottenham return

Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-ekotto will finally resume training next week after missing the majority of the season with a knee injury.

Assou-Ekotto, 28, has been sidelined since the start of September and has only made three appearances this season.

The Cameroon defender was one of the star performers for the north London club last season and has established himself as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

The news will come as a major boost to Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, who is desperate to have his first-choice left back in action ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Villas-Boas said: "We hope to see him back next week hopefully. He is making good progress. His recovery has been long. We are looking a bit more positive on that front.

"It has been good the last few weeks because we are getting good news from these long-term injuries and in the end these are players we need back.

"They were extremely important for the club so that will be a big boost for the club."