Rodrigo Bentancur makes shock return to Tottenham lineup two months ahead of schedule
- Tottenham host Bournemouth in Premier League on New Year's Eve
- Rodrigo Bentancur surprisingly named in starting XI
- Uruguayan was expected to be out of action until at least February with ankle injury
By Sean Walsh
FROM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM - Rodrigo Bentancur has surprisingly been named in Tottenham's starting lineup for their New Year's Eve clash with Bournemouth.
Bentancur has spent much of 2023 on the treatment table after suffering an ACL injury in February and then tore his ankle ligaments in November having just returned to full fitness.
He was expected to be ruled out until February or March 2024, but he has been selected in Spurs' starting XI for their final game of this calendar year.
The Uruguayan's return is a welcome boost for Tottenham, who are set to lose midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Tottenham are looking to bounce back from Thursday night's 4-2 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion. They have won their last two games at home and will move to within a point of the Premier League's top four with victort on Sunday.
To secure the points, they'll need to topple an in-form Bournemouth side who have found results under new boss Andoni Iraola in recent weeks. The Cherries have won six of their last seven matches, drawing the one other.
Spurs won the reverse fixture 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium back in August, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski grabbing the goals that day.
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