Ange Postecoglou reports that Micky van de Ven 'is in a good space' as he returns to the squad for our UEFA Europa League Round of 16 clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night (5.45pm UK).

The Dutch international defender flew back to Holland with the squad for the first leg and trained at AFAS Stadion - AZ's home just north of Amsterdam - on Wednesday evening. He returns alongside Cuti Romero and Dominic Solanke.

Micky has been out since our MD8 clash match against Elfsborg on 30 January, his only start since Chelsea at home on 8 December and Ange explained again how they've 'taken a different road' in terms of his recovery process this time around.

Speaking to the media at the AFAS ahead on training this evening, Ange was asked for a specific update on Micky's fitness. "He's training and we're mindful, you know... the last time, while he came back and played half a game (against Elfsborg), we still felt and he still felt like he just didn't feel right.

"We've taken a different sort of road with him this time and he feels really good, he's been training for the last week and a half, he's in a good space and I guess it's a timing thing now, and when we reintroduce him.

"Again, we'll be gauged by how he feels, in terms of when he gets out there and has a run about, but, in terms of training, how he looks in training and how he feels, he certainly feels very confident that once he's back in the team he'll be all good."