Ryan Mason has two big decisions to make with Clement Lenglet boost ahead of Aston Villa

Tottenham defender Clement Lenglet could be set for a swift return to action over the weekend despite having to be withdrawn late on against Crystal Palace due to injury.

French defender Lenglet, on loan from Barcelona, was picked ahead of Eric Dier in a four-man defence that kept a clean sheet against Palace over the weekend, but he had to leave the field after picking up what looked like a shoulder injury late on.

According to a report on football.London, the defender has shown signs of immediate recovery and could be fit for the game against Villa this weekend.

The Lilywhites have seen their aim to qualify for Europe boosted by the win against Palace, while direct competitors Brighton and Aston Villa lost over the weekend.

Tottenham caretaker manager Ryan Mason has done something both Antonio Conte and his assistant Cristian Stellini could not do, and that is getting the team to play well in a back four. So the visit to Villa Park will test Mason’s resolve to reset the culture at the club and change the system from playing on the counter to playing on the front foot.

There is also a decision to make in the forward line with Brazilian forward Richarlison again failing to find the back of the net against the Eagles. Dejan Kulusevski started from the bench against the Eagles but impressed when he came on, leaving his manager with another big call to think about ahead of this weekend’s game.

Spurs are sixth in the Premier League with this weekend’s opponents Villa in eighth but just three points behind, and still in with a chance to salvage some kind of European football.

If Mason can secure Europa League football for Spurs, then he would have done an incredible job, given where he took the team from.