Fantasy managers received a considerable boost this afternoon with the news that Rafael Van der Vaart is back in training and edging towards full fitness once again.
The Tottenham talisman had, of course, tweaked a hamstring in Holland’s goalless friendly with Switzerland last Friday, limping out of the game just after the hour mark.
Fantasy plans for many were put on ice for gameweek 12 as we eagerly awaited an injury update and although Van der Vaart took to twitter over the last few days to confirm the problem was minor, today’s announcement was the first time the club have commented on the matter.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Joe Jordan was optimistic of Van der Vaart’s chances of a start against Aston Villa and with the game not until Monday night, the signs are definitely positive:
Rafa trained on Wednesday and from what the medical team are saying he’s at 75 per cent. That’s good, but we have to get him from 75 per cent to 100 per cent, we’ll have take it day to day and we do have a few days with the game on Monday. He’s got a chance, but it is important that there is no recurrence of the injury.
The Dutchman has been plagued with the problem since moving from Real Madrid in the summer of 2010 and has already missed the match against Wolves in gameweek four with a similar problem. Given that he had initially been expected to be sidelined for six weeks during that period, his powers of recuperation are clearly impressive and it would appear, once agin, he is on course for a quick recovery.
With 6 goals and 14 bonus points in his last six games, many would have him nailed on as an automatic captain choice this week- the fact he’s currently second in our Captains Poll behind Robin Van Persie is an indication of many managers’ thinking.
It’s a tricky one, though, and leaves many with an armband quandary. The nightmare scenario is he returns too quickly and suffers a tweak again, leaving a 2 point captaincy return. On the other hand, you wouldn’t put it past him to start and grab a couple and the maximum bonus. It’s looking like a bold decision is called for either way, particularly with Van Persie rolling up to Carrow Road on Saturday lunchtime.
