Aaron Lennon's Return: A Boost for Spurs and England

Harry Redknapp has confirmed this afternoon that Aaron Lennon will return to the team’s first team squad for their match against Manchester United tomorrow afternoon.

The Spurs and England National winger has been sidelined since the end of 2009 with a persistent groin problem, but club manager Redknapp stated that the 22-year-old will be named as a substitute for the game at Old Trafford.

Lennon’s possible return has seen much speculation for the last month, and his return to action will be a timely boost for Spurs and Redknapp as they enter the final push for the much coveted fourth place, which would secure them a place in next season’s Champions League qualifying round.

The news will be equally well received by England manager Fabio Capello, who will be keen to see a key member of his squad back on the pitch after almost four months out with the World Cup now just seven weeks away.

Lennon made his last appearance for Spurs in a win against West Ham on 28 December 2009 and has missed the last 14 Premier League matches.

Whilst Spurs have been just as effective at winning in Lennon’s absence this season (they average 1.89 points per game with Lennon in the side and 1.88 without him) his loss has been felt dramatically in terms of goals scored.

Without Lennon, Spurs have averaged 1.38 goals per game, whereas before the turn of the year with Lennon in the side that figure was almost a whole goal higher at 2.22.

Redknapp and Spurs fans alike will hope that Lennon can help provide the extra firepower to wrap up fourth spot over the remaining four games of the season starting on Saturday.

Lennon is also a key part of Fabio Capello’s England set-up with the winger’s pace on the right-hand side of midfield being integral to the side’s tactical approach.

It is not quite clear who Capello favours out of Lennon and Theo Walcott for the starting role on the right-hand side, but both look likely to be named in the final 23-man squad if fit, leaving the Italian to decide who is in the better form and condition once the tournament begins.

Importantly, Capello will also retain the option of being able to interchange between the two if the other misfires or, perhaps more likely in the case of two relatively injury-prone players, is struck down.

With David Beckham ruled out with an Achilles injury Capello will be eager to see his two first-choice right-wingers back in action for the end of the season.

Shaun Wright-Phillips has more often than not been featured in the England squad under Capello, but his place has come under real threat despite Beckham’s injury looking to have opened the door to South Africa for him.

The Man City winger has started only three of his side’s last 17 Premier League games and has not completed the full 90 minutes in the league since early December.

Wright-Phillip’s dip in playing time and form has almost exactly coincided with the arrival of new teammate Adam Johnson at Eastlands in January.

Johnson has impressed since his transfer window move and looks like an increasingly good bet to make it into Capello’s summer squad.

The left-footed winger was part of Capello’s larger 30-man selection for the friendly against Egypt in March but did not make the cut for the final squad.

The ex-Middlesbrough man has primarily been playing on the right for Man City, dangerously exploiting his ability to cut back onto his left foot, and would offer Capello a different option on the right from the pure speed of both Lennon and Walcott.