20 November 2007, by Lorna Danion

Ricardo Rocha resumes training

Tottenham defender back on the pitch after ankle surgery

Tottenham Hotspur defender Ricardo Rocha says it will not be long before he is available for selection, as the Portuguese continues his rehabilitation following ankle surgery.

The former Benfica man went under the knife in early October in a bid to cure a long-standing problem that has affected him since his arrival in London in January.

Now, having started light training, Rocha is keen to return to action in order to compete for a place in new manager Juande Ramos’ plans at White Hart Lane.

“I am feeling very good,” he said. “I have just starting working hard on the field to recover as fast as possible and the physios feel I will be fit to train and play in two to three weeks.

“I have been out for many weeks so I am doing stamina work at the moment. I miss working with the ball but it has to be like this.

“The important thing now is to recover well and then try and help the team in as many games as possible.”

Rocha had been tipped for a winter move away from Spurs during the latter stages of Martin Jol’s tenure in charge, but with Ramos now at the helm the 29-year-old will be keen to impress the Spaniard in the coming months.