German international Christian Ziege is due to make a dramatic return to the first team squad less than a year after it was feared that he had kicked a ball for the last time. Ziege is likely to be named in the squad for Sunday's game against former employees Middlesbrough, an amazing turn around from the injury suffered against Charlton on Boxing Day 2002. Ziege was given a second yellow card for a foul on Charlton's Scott Parker, but the red card was the least of his worries; it was later revealed that a blood clot had formed in his thigh and that an emergency operation was required. It had been reported that the injury could have proved fatal had the Spurs staff not acted so quickly, and this led many to believe that the German's career would be over.
Ziege soon recovered, and was able to play the last half hour of the season in the four one defeat against Blackburn. With time to recouperate over the summer, Ziege looked fitter than ever during pre-season but injured himself again during the tour of South Africa and had to restart his comeback process. He has completed the last three reserve team games without a problem and has given David Pleat something to think about for the Boro clash.