Rose blooms at Jan's return

Danny Rose is delighted to renew defensive acquaintances with Jan Vertonghen.

The pair helped our back-line to keep three clean sheets as we won three of our first four Premier League matches this season.

But Danny then suffered a foot problem that kept him out until December 22 – 18 days after Jan picked up an ankle injury that kept him out until the trip to Hull last weekend.

Jan returned alongside Paulinho with Younes Kaboul also fit again and on the bench at the KC.

“It’s brilliant to have Jan back in the team, we started well at the start of the season on the left side of defence and he’s a quality player,” said Danny.

“It’s great to have Paulinho back as well, he got on the scoresheet again. Younes was back as well. We have a few players back for the crunch time of the season and that can only be good for the squad.”

Danny admitted to a feeling of disappointment after the 1-1 draw – and that it would spur the team on in Sunday’s huge game against fifth-placed Everton at the Lane.

“We gave away a sloppy goal and it feels like it’s two points dropped, but we did show great character to come back and get the equaliser, it was just a shame we couldn’t get the winner.

“It makes the game against Everton even more important now. The race for fourth place will go right to the end of the season, so Sunday’s match is massive.”