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Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele are nearing a return to action but will miss Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Tranmere.
The Belgian duo of Vertonghen (thigh) and Dembele (ankle) have been out for several weeks but are back in training with the rest of the Spurs first-team and are expected to soon make a return to action.
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However, the trip to League Two Tranmere has come just too soon for the pair and they will next be pushing to feature in Spurs’ Premier League encounter with Manchester United on January 13.
England international Eric Dier is also back on grass but will not be involved on Friday night, while Argentine forward Erik Lamela has an illness and Victor Wanyama (knee) is a long-term absentee.
