Tottenham's Erik Lamela set for first-team return after almost a year out

Erik Lamela is poised to return to first-team reckoning with Spurs next month Erik Lamela is poised to return to first-team reckoning with Spurs next month

Tottenham midfielder Erik Lamela is continuing to recover after a serious injury to his hip, with a possible playing return after next month's international break a realistic target.

Lamela's long-standing problem has significantly hampered his career at Spurs since signing from Roma in August 2013 for £30million but Sky Sports cameras captured a healthy Argentina international being put through his paces on Thursday in Enfield.

The 25-year-old underwent surgery in April after spending a large chunk of last season, from October, on the sidelines

A fresh setback in his recovery extended his lengthy absence, which looks set to reach almost a full calendar year.

Tottenham host Bournemouth on October 14 at Wembley, following the World Cup Qualifiers, and welcome Liverpool to their temporary home eight days later with a Champions League trip to Real Madrid in between.

Lamela may return to the matchday squad on any of those dates to bridge a 12-month absence after making his last competitive appearance in a Spurs shirt, as a 61st-minute substitute, in the 2-1 EFL Cup defeat at Anfield on October 25, 2016.