Erik Lamela returns for Tottenham Under-23s after year out with injury

Erik Lamela returns to action for Tottenham for the first time in over a year as the attacking midfielder was named in the Under-23s' starting line-up to face Chelsea on Saturday.

Lamela, who joined for a then-club-record £30million in 2013, has been out of action for Spurs since last October due to a number of problematic hip injuries.

The 25-year-old's last appearance for Spurs was in the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool in the EFL Cup on October 25 last year.

Since then, the Argentina international has undergone hip surgery and spent time away from Tottenham, working with medical staff at former club Roma.

Lamela has been training with Spurs' first-team squad in recent weeks, and was named in the U23s' starting XI to face Chelsea at Hotspur Way at 12pm.

Mauricio Pochettino confirmed on Friday that he is asking Lamela daily whether he is ready for first-team selection.

While Saturday's north London derby comes too soon for Lamela, the playmaker's return to fitness comes at a beneficial time for Spurs ahead of the festive fixture schedule.