Younes Kaboul gives Tottenham boost with return to action

Defender will appear in Under-21 match against West Ham tonight

Andre Villas-Boas expects his side to be boosted by the return of Younes Kaboul (Getty Images)

Younes Kaboul looks set to make his long-awaited return from injury in Tottenham's Under-21 match against West Ham tonight.

Kaboul has not played since the opening day of the season when he aggravated a knee injury which had also kept him out of the European Championship.

The 27-year-old, who was Tottenham's most consistent centre-back last season, underwent surgery and was initially expected to be out for four months, but he has struggled in his rehabilitation from the injury.

The Frenchman will get a chance to prove his fitness tonight, however, as he is understood to be in the Under-21 squad that will face the Hammers at Upton Park.

Should he come through that match, the former Portsmouth man could be in contention for Tottenham's away trip to Basle on Thursday, although a more realistic comeback game would be the club's game against Manchester City on April 21.

Tottenham's Champions League hopes have been derailed in recent weeks thanks to a series of poor results and injuries to key players like Jermain Defoe, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon.

PA