Erik Lamela makes injury return for Tottenham Hotspur Under-23s

Tottenham Hotspur have received a boost after Erik Lamela was named in the starting lineup for the club's Under-23s game with Chelsea.

Lamela has not made a first-team appearance for Spurs in over a year due to a hip injury, but head coach Mauricio Pochettino recently acknowledged that the playmaker had made a return to training.

The 25-year-old has remained out of Pochettino's squad, but the former Roma man has taken the next step to a game in the senior side by featuring against Chelsea on Saturday.

Lamela's return comes at a time when Spurs are faced with a hectic schedule, with nine games to take place from November 18 through to December 16.

Since signing for Spurs in 2013, Lamela has scored 19 goals in 119 games in all competitions.