Spurs defender back in training

Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has resumed first-team training after over three months out with a knee injury.

The Cameroon international has been Spurs’ first-choice left-back for the last four seasons, but he has been limited to three appearances so far this term after a niggling injury flared up in September.

He had been expected to be out for four weeks, but the problem was much worse than expected.

The enigmatic 28-year-old raised hopes of a return to action today, however, when he tweeted: “Trainning with the team today !!! I hope as i ll remember the name of every one LOL.”

Manager Andre Villas-Boas is expected to confirm whether Assou-Ekotto will be available for Sunday’s Premier League game against Swansea later this week.

The Portuguese could also have another long-term injury victim – Scott Parker - available for the clash at White Hart Lane.

Parker has not played for the first team this season after suffering an Achilles injury in the summer.

The 32-year-old, who won the club's player of the year award last season, has played for the reserves and the U-21s in the last seven days.