Modric returns to face Blues

Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric will be back for Spurs’ crunch clash with Chelsea on Sunday, after recovered from illness.

The Croatian playmaker missed Tottenham’s 3-3 draw with FC Twente on Tuesday, a game that ensured Spurs fininshed top of their Champions League group, but returns to face English Premier League champions Chelsea at White Hart Lane.

“Luka is fine. He had a touch of ‘flu but he’ll be fine for Sunday. He’s such a big player for us that we miss him when he’s not playing,” coach Joe Jordan said.

“There’s a bit of a bug going round and a couple of the other lads have had it but Harry (Redknapp) should be fine to take charge on Sunday.”

But Jordan admitted Rafael Van Der Vaart is still out. The Dutch midfielder is struggling with a hamstring injury he picked up two weeks ago, and Jordan added: “Rafael has no chance of making Sunday which is a disappointment for us.”

Chelsea started the season as favourites to retain their title but have slipped off top spot because of a run of only one win in their past six league games.

Jordan said: “It’s a big game for us as well as it is for them. They’re in a bit of a trough at the moment but Chelsea are always dangerous and they’ve had big players out who are coming back.”

“The title is there to be won, not just for Chelsea and Man United but other teams as well so the game is huge.”

In further injury news, Jordan added that Jermaine Jenas will remain out with the calf injury he aggravated in mid-week but defender Younes Kaboul has returned to training and club captain Ledley King could be back in training next week after two months out with a groin problem.

King has seen a specialist in Copenhagen but surgery has been ruled out and Jordan said: “If all goes well and he continues to improve, Ledley will be back with the squad next week.”

“We’ve tried not to go down the route of surgery, but instead make progress by strengthening the muscles in that area. He feels that there has been an improvement and we will continue like this.”