Reports today suggest that Tottenham’s Dutch maestro Rafael Van der Vaart is set for a return to first team action in ten days after undergoing treatment in Holland.
The inspirational playmaker and Fantasy favourite, who was initially feared to be out for between four and six weeks, could make his shock return against Blackpool on December 19. He has been in Rotterdam seeing specialist Dick van Toorn and, after a positive response to treatment, Van der Vaart is apparently hopeful of an early comeback.
”He gave me three days of intensive treatment in Rotterdam. In about 10 days I hope to make my comeback. It wasn’t such a big tear. Initially I thought it would be four to six weeks (out).”
This will come as a blow to the hordes of Fantasy Managers who were anticipating a lengthy lay-off for the Dutchman. In the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game the 27-year-old had a net loss of 202,610 transfers last Gameweek and, on top of that, over 23,000 transfers out since the weekend. Long-term Van der Vaart owners who sold-up may have suffered a hit of up to £0.5 million. The postponement of the Blackpool vs United clash may well have exacerbated the loss of Van der Vaart, forcing the hand of many of his owners prior to Gameweek 16.
Despite the sales, Van der Vaart still has a high ownership with 19.6% of FPL Managers retaining his services. We can only await a more official update on his injury, but if the Blackpool fixture in Gameweek 19 looks a viable return date, we can surely expect his ownership to rise once more, as Fantasy Managers fetch back a player who has already collected 76 points this season.
