Tottenham news: 'Frustrated' Erik Lamela struggling to recover from injury as player turns to former club for aid

Lamela has not featured for Spurs since October 25 after picking up an injury that was initially described as 'minor'

Lamela is currently Tottenham's only injured first-team player (Getty)

Tottenham’s Erik Lamela has returned to former club AS Roma in a bid to recover from a troublesome hip injury that has kept him sidelined since October.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed on Friday that the 24-year-old has grown increasingly frustrated as Spurs’ only injured player and has subsequently turned to the aid of his former physios in the Italian capital.

With Tottenham enjoying a rich vein of form, that has seen them rise to third in the table, Lamela's frustration has been compounded as he continues to miss out on his side's mid-season resurgence.

The player’s recovery was also delayed in December after he flew out to Argentina to spend a week with his brother in hospital.

Lamela's injury, which was sustained in training, was initially described as “minor” at the start of November but Pochettino has since grown reluctant to offer a timescale on his recovery.

The midfielder's lack of physical progress and mental frustration has caused the Tottenham manager to admit that a change of scenery could prove beneficial.

"He went to Italy now. They need to change a little about the atmosphere, he has strong links in Rome," Pochettino said.

"Not only do we believe it's important to change a bit his mind, if not he asks to finish his recovery time there. The club and the staff believe it was right that situation.

"We hope that after that period he will come again and be available to start training with the team.

"It's always difficult for players who spend a lot of time more than he believe, and with the energy of the team sometimes he is frustrated he cannot be involved today as it's only him out of the group."

Lamela, who travelled with a Tottenham physio, moved to Roma from River Plate as a 19-year-old in 2011. He rose to prominence with the club where he enjoyed two successful years in the Italian capital.

"He has a special link with physios and doctors in Rome so thank you to Roma for opening the door to him and recover the player," Pochettino added.

"We hope that in a few weeks maybe he will be available again to be involved in the training session with the rest of the group."

Lamela is Tottenham's only absentee but a number of key players will be rested for the FA Cup third round tie at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Vincent Janssen, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies and Harry Winks are among those likely to come in but Pochettino will also be keen to progress in a tournament that has seen Spurs reach only one quarter-final in six years.