Ryan Mason has hinted that Yves Bissouma is "fit to play" for Tottenham as he mulls over starting the Mali international against Brentford on Saturday. Out of action since early February after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle, the summer signing made his return in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
Coming on for the final 30 minutes of the contest, Bissouma was a rare bright spot on a dismal day for the Lilywhites as he caught the eye with an energetic display. Certainly giving Mason something to think about as Tottenham look to return to winning ways, the acting head coach was asked if Bissouma is fit enough to start when speaking in his pre-match press conference.
"I think that when players train and they train fully then in my eyes they are fit to play," explained Mason. "So I've got a decision to make, we've got players to pick from and he's certainly one that is available to play."
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Struggling to replicate his impressive Brighton form at Tottenham following his summer move, Mason opened up on some players needing time to fully adapt to a new team and style of play.
"I think that is quite normal when you come into different style of play and a different system, it can take time," Mason told football.london. "We see it with players that come from abroad to the Premier League, they have to adjust, and the same goes for an English player or someone who has been playing in the Premier League to have to adjust to a new team and a new style of play.
"Obviously he's had a few injuries this season that have probably halted his progress, but there are two games now and I can feel the excitement from him that he's back out on the training pitch and he's out there playing and he feels like he can help the team and hopefully he can do that."
Asked for an update on the injury front, Mason admitted that the club are assessing a couple of players ahead of the lunchtime game against Brentford.
"Pretty similar to last week to be honest," he said. "A few that are touch and go for the weekend but we're in a good place.
He added: "We had a couple last week who couldn't make the squad [Dier & Tanganga] and we're assessing them day by day. We've got a session in a minute & we'll see."
Saturday's showdown against the Bees will prove crucial to Tottenham's European aspirations as they currently trail Brighton & Hove Albion in sixth by one point. All Mason's side can really do at present is win their final two games against Brentford and Leeds United and hope that results go in their favour so they seal a Europa League berth for next season.
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