What Kyle Walker's Return Could Mean for Tottenham

This week's news of a return to training for England international Kyle Walker has provided a brief respite for Tottenham’s beleaguered fans.

It is eight months since the right-back last played for the Lillywhites, but could the reintroduction of a fully fit Walker impact the progression of incoming DeAndre Yedlin?

Walker has been through a lot since his injury last spring, including having to endure surgery for his abdominal injury and also being forced to miss out on England's World Cup campaign in Brazil.

Understandably the 24-year-old is delighted to be back among the squad and he took to Twitter to highlight his happiness:

Things move quickly in modern sport and much has changed since his last outing for Spurs back in March, including the arrival of new manager Mauricio Pochettino. What remains is a club in turmoil where, just like under previous manager Tim Sherwood, there is uncertainty over formations, tactics and positions.

The natives are restless, and everyone from the fans, the board, the players and even the pitch have been blamed for the north Londoners' poor form.

Tottenham currently sit in 12th place after 11 games, suffering five defeats in the process. Four of those defeats have occurred at White Hart Lane, an unacceptable statistic for the club's supporters.

Walker can count himself as blameless for now, but he will need to hit the ground running on his return to the fold. Although a return date is as yet unknown, the defender is aiming to take the positives out of this experience, as reported by the Press Association (h/t The Guardian):

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There is no timescale on when Walker will be fit to play again but he believes he will be a better player when he does. "I think I've matured as a player and a person and hopefully that will take me on to the next step in my career," he said.

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There is no doubt that the Tottenham defence has been a key reason for the club's poor form, with Kyle Naughton's red card at the weekend a microcosm of his average displays this season.

Summer signing Eric Dier is the other man who has filled in at right full-back, but his performances have slowly deteriorated from his match-winning goal at Upton Park in the season's opener against rivals West Ham.

Most observers may see Walker's return only in positive terms, but one potential negative aspect is the arrival of U.S. superstar DeAndre Yedlin, who is set to join up with Spurs in January. The American is seen in many quarters as a potential saviour in his own right, but will his progress be stunted by the return to fitness of Walker?

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press/Associated Press/Associated Press

Both use their pace, technique and buccaneering attitude to pin back the opposition's left-flank and both are revered for their attacking ability as much as for their defensive qualities. The pair also need game time to fulfil their potential, but how can such similar individuals be accommodated?

U.S.A. head coach and Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann may have created a solution for his former club, as he told MLSsoccer.com back in October: "I think we can really push things forward if he plays in front of a right-back."

Yedlin's offensive qualities have been utilised in this right-wing position for both the national team and for Supporters' Shield winners Seattle Sounders. This raises the tantalising prospect that the returning England international and the incoming 21-year-old American could dovetail as the most lethal right-sided pairing in the Premier League.