Ange Postecoglou say’s Romero and Van de Ven are back in action and revealed the games they’re set for
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has shed light on why Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven remain unavailable for selection despite resuming training. The defensive duo has been sorely missed, and fans have been eagerly anticipating their return. However, Postecoglou has now confirmed a potential comeback date while clarifying that neither player has suffered any new setbacks in their recovery.
The Wait for Romero and Van de Ven Continues
Romero has not featured for Spurs since their clash against Chelsea at the beginning of December, while Van de Ven managed a brief 45-minute appearance against Elfsborg a couple of weeks ago. Since then, the Dutch defender has been absent from all matchday squads, leading to speculation about his fitness.
Addressing concerns on Friday, Postecoglou reassured supporters that both centre-backs are progressing well but need more time to regain full match fitness. While they are back on the training pitch, they are still undergoing a phased return to action.
When Will Romero and Van de Ven Be Available for Selection?
Tottenham face a challenging run of fixtures, with a clash against Manchester United looming this weekend, followed by an FA Cup trip to Ipswich Town on February 22. Four days later, they host reigning champions Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in what promises to be a tough encounter.
Spurs will then turn their attention to the Europa League, with the first leg of their Round of 16 tie set for March 6. When asked whether Romero and Van de Ven could be fit in time for that European fixture, Postecoglou remained optimistic.
“Yeah, with a bit of momentum, in terms of them getting some good training work. If it’s not then, it won’t be much after. We’ve got an international break, so it won’t be much after that,” he said, via Football.London.
The Spurs boss also mentioned Dominic Solanke in the same breath, suggesting that the striker is on a similar recovery timeline.
“Once the boys get the green light, they’re going to push pretty hard. It’s like James Maddison—he should have been out for another two weeks. Vicario was scheduled for the middle of March. It just depends on the players, but I would certainly expect Micky and Cuti to be around the mark of that time.”
Have Romero and Van de Ven Been Training?
Despite their absence from matchday squads, Romero and Van de Ven have been actively working on their fitness. However, Postecoglou clarified that their training has been largely individual, focusing on rebuilding their physical condition rather than full-team sessions.
When asked why the defenders are not yet ready to play if they have been training, Postecoglou explained:
“Because it’s a different sort of intensity. When I say training, they’re not always with the team. They’re doing a lot of individual stuff, which is more based on getting them back to the levels they need.
“To paint a clearer picture, we’ve hardly trained properly for two-and-a-half months. I keep saying that you blokes could have joined in our training, and I mean that seriously.
“We’ve literally just been walking around going through tactical stuff. For them to join in that serves no purpose because they get nothing out of it physically. Our fit guys have just been recovering.”
Postecoglou stressed that Spurs have only recently resumed full-intensity training, and now that sessions are becoming more rigorous, Romero and Van de Ven will slowly be integrated back into the squad.
“It’s just now, in the last three days, that we’re training properly. The hope is that we can drop Micky and Romero into full team training over the next couple of weeks. Call it modified, call it what you want, but a lot of what they’re doing now is individual work.”
The Australian coach reassured fans that the pair are not simply confined to rehabilitation rooms but are actively working towards their return.
“They’re not bedridden, they’re not just sitting there getting treatment—they’re out there running. They’re doing significant training, but it’s just not always with the team.”
Spurs Taking Cautious Approach with Key Defenders
With the team still competing on multiple fronts, Postecoglou is taking a measured approach to ensure Romero and Van de Ven return at peak condition rather than risking setbacks. While the Europa League tie on March 6 remains a potential target, the upcoming international break in mid-March could also provide an ideal window for their full reintegration.
For now, Spurs will have to manage without their first-choice centre-back partnership, but their return is edging closer—a significant boost as the club looks to finish the season strongly in both domestic and European competitions.
