Tim Sherwood will resist any pressure to play Erik Lamela this season after he reiterated that Tottenham Hotspur’s record signing was ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

Lamela hopes to return to training next week after four months out with a back injury and Tottenham are keen that the midfielder plays after a season dogged by injury and difficulty in settling at the club. There might be further embarrassment if Lamela does not play again this season but travels with Argentina to the World Cup finals. Tottenham are also concerned about his valuation should they decide to try to sell him back to Roma this summer.

Lamela was signed for £30 million from the Italian club to replace Gareth Bale, but has become