Vlad Chiriches and Michael Dawson Return to Training to Ease Tottenham Injury Crisis

Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has received a welcomed fitness boost after both Vlad Chiriches and Michael Dawson returned to training.

Sherwood has been inundated with injury woes in recent weeks and was forced to name seven untested youngsters in his squad for his side's game against Benfica last week with 11 members of his first team squad unavailable.

Amid injuries and suspension, Sherwood was left with no other choice but to pair midfielder Sandro with full back Zeki Fryers at the heart of defence.

Spurs were boosted by the return of Younes Kaboul last Sunday and will have all their central defensive options fit ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool, although Chiriches is unlikely to make the trip to Merseyside.

"Vlad has been out for a while and we have to make sure we take our time with him," Sherwood told Tottenham's official website.

"We're pleased to see him back in training this week we're looking to drop him back into Friday's Under-21 game against Arsenal at the Lane.

"He's trained well and he hasn't felt any reaction to his back, so we're all pleased with that.

"Michael trained at the end of last week as well, we're pleased with his progress and most of all, delighted we've more players from which to select from."

Chiriches, an £8.5m summer signing from Steaua Bucharest, suffered a back injury at the end of January. The Romanian international had been expected to return within a fortnight but further scans revealed the knock was more serious than initially expected and has missed the club's last 12 games as a result.

Club captain Dawson was taken off in his side calamitous 4-0 defeat to Chelsea earlier this month with a hamstring injury and has missed the club's last four games.

Sherwood was unable to shed any light on the possible return date of Emmanuel Adebayor. The striker has not played since the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on March 16 having suffered an ankle injury and could remain on the side-lines with Kyle Walker and long term absentees Etienne Capoue and Erik Lamela.