Van der Vaart: Wants derby return

Share this article:

VDV ready to blast Gunners

Tottenham forward Rafael van der Vaart aims to recover in time to play against arch-rivals Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday.

The Holland international has been hampered by a calf injury which has kept him out of Spurs’ last three fixtures, but could come back into contention for this weekend’s clash.

Van der Vaart is keen to start training on Wednesday, which will give the playmaker ample time to get fit.

He is confident he will be ready and everyone in the White Hart Lane camp is desperate for him to play against the Gunners.

“I’m recovering well from my injury,” Van der Vaart told his official website.

“I expect to be joining the team training next Wednesday after which I will start to focus on the match against Arsenal. I’ll be happy to play Arsenal. I can’t wait.”

Spurs are also awaiting news on the fitness of striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who twisted his knee and could miss out against his former employers.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto has had groin surgery and is also sidelined, but Luka Modric could return after missing Sunday’s goalless draw with Stevenage in the FA Cup.