Van der Vaart expects weekend return

Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart admits he is ready to return to first team action next weekend after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Dutchman was expected to sit out for up to six weeks after picking up the problem in the 5-1 defeat to Manchester City.

However, after sitting the international break and missing Spurs 2-0 win over Wolves yesterday, the 28-year-old is confident he will be available next week's home fixture against Liverpool.

"I have been treated intensively by (physiotherapist) Dick van Toorn," Van der Vaart told his official website.

"I was able to do proper turns again and regular sprints. Next weekend seems like no problem to me!"

Van Toorn has been more than impressed by the former Real Madrid midfielders recovery and claims he is ready to return to action.

"In the hospital they said Rafa would be out for more than a month but he can play in next week's Tottenham match," he said.

"I will leave that decision to the medical staff of Tottenham.

"Rafael is a crown jewel for football. I have rarely met a player in all those years who is so dedicated to his job and who wants to work so hard to get back on the pitch."