• Premier League

'Unprofessional' Modric returns to Spurs training

Luka Modric reported for training with Tottenham on Monday, with criticism from manager Andre Villas-Boas ringing in his ears.

Modric has been issued with separate fines for missing training on Friday and refusing to board the flight for the club's pre-season visit to North America.

Late on Monday, Spurs confirmed that Modric had returned to training on Monday in a statement on their official website. It read: "The club can confirm Luka Modric has returned to training today (Monday) at Spurs Lodge. The coaching staff will now determine the remainder of his pre-season preparation."

It is reported that the 26-year-old has made an apology to Daniel Levy for his actions, but Villas-Boas said the chairman feels the strike was "not common professional behaviour" and has no intention of reducing his asking price. ESPN understands Spurs are looking for close to £40 million for the player.

"There are clubs interested in him but we have to hold on to our values and our rights and at the moment the situation for Luka is he is under club discipline," Villas-Boas said. "Unfortunately for him he's going to have to be fined for not being present.

"He's a player who has offered so much for Tottenham so we have a sense of respect for what he's done over the years for us but the chairman feels that the fact that he's not present is not common professional behaviour. The situation can be solved in two ways, the two ways being that the clubs interested meet the demands of Tottenham regarding the player's value or the player continues and returns to the club."

Villas-Boas stressed that he was hoping for a swift resolution to the affair, though he stressed that it is down to the buying club to do so.

"Hopefully this is a situation that won't drag on for long. The situation is not dependent on Tottenham - it's dependent on the clubs who are interested in the player. This type of player revolt is not new but I think that clubs have to protect themselves. There's plenty of time in the market.

"It's the first time unfortunately for Luka that he takes these actions. I think the chairman and myself have been very open by saying we are willing to listen to offers for the player, which is uncommon, I think. He's had many interests in the past like last year but he has always behaved professionally. We never doubted his human qualities so we don't know what kind of advice he's receiving."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.