Hugo Lloris poised to return against Southampton

Hugo Lloris is expected to return to the Tottenham Hotspur goal for their Premier League clash at Southampton on Saturday lunchtime.

A knee injury picked up in the opening minutes of the 4-3 win over Leicester City in March has forced the French number one to miss Spurs' last three matches.

Only four points from a possible nine during that time, in which Michel Vorm has deputised for Lloris, has seen Tottenham fall seven points adrift in the race for a top-four finish.

Consequently, this weekend's battle with the Saints, who are one point and one place below them in seventh, could have a major impact on who qualifies for the Europa League.

Reports on Wednesday suggested that Lloris, who moved to White Hart Lane from Lyon for £11m in 2012, will consider leaving Spurs in the summer should they not secure Champions League football.