Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that first-choice left-back Danny Rose could return from a knee injury, just in time to face Arsenal during the final north London derby at White Hart Lane.

The 26-year-old defender has been sidelined since late January after picking up the injury during a goalless draw away at Sunderland. When giving team news and injury updates ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea this weekend, the Argentine said that Rose’s return was a possibility ahead of the hotly-anticipated clash on April 30.

Matches against Chelsea and Spurs’ midweek fixture against Crystal Palace are expected to come too soon for Rose. Ben Davies has filled the role well during Rose’s lengthy injury absence. However, the defender’s recovery is a much-welcome boost for Spurs – especially with a title charge still on the cards.

Highly-regarded as one of the league’s best fullbacks, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside three Tottenham teammates. He has consistently performed well domestically and during their unsuccessful Champions League campaign, so it’ll be interesting to see how Pochettino handles him returning.

His style of play often attracts high-impact challenges from opponents and although Davies is more defensively solid, Rose provides attacking width with his blistering speed and ability to roam around the final third in attack.

One of their best performers during our 1-1 draw in November, his presence at the back will be reassuring for the hosts but equally worrying for Arsenal’s backline in just over a week’s time.