Team news | Ryan on Bissouma, ‘in contention’ for Villa
Fri 12 May 2023, 15:35|
Tottenham Hotspur
Yves Bissouma made somewhat of a surprise reappearance on the bench as we beat Palace last weekend, and now the midfielder looks a step closer to a return to action as we travel to Aston Villa on Saturday (3pm).
The Mali international last featured against Manchester City on 5 February and has missed 16 matches in all competitions with an ankle injury.
Yves was back in the matchday squad against Palace and Acting Head Coach Ryan Mason reported that he’d enjoyed a full week’s training ahead of a big game in terms of European qualification at Villa Park with us sitting sixth and Villa three points adrift in eighth.
Ryan, a midfielder in his playing days, had some sympathy for Yves’ plight after a tricky first season here following his switch from Brighton last summer.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY on Friday, Ryan told us: “Yves was in the matchday squad last weekend, probably a little prematurely, but we wanted him in and around the group and felt it was important that he felt part of the group because he’s had such a long time out. He’s had a full training week this week, so he’s in contention.
“It’s difficult when you have injuries, because it disrupts your rhythm, especially as a new player, he will have wanted to hit the ground running but, unfortunately, that’s not happened for him this season. He’s a player with loads of potential, a player we want to work with, to improve... he can really help the football club.”
