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Kaboul close to Spurs return

Younes Kaboul could return for Tottenham's remaining six Premier League games © PA Photos

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Tottenham have been handed a welcome boost amid their latest end-of-season slide with the news that powerhouse centre-back Younes Kaboul could be ready to take part in the club's final six Premier League games.

After surrendering a commanding lead over local rivals Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish for a second season in succession, Andre Villas-Boas' side are in need of a lift as they prepare for Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final against FC Basel.

While the upcoming tie in Switzerland will come a little too soon for Kaboul, the sight of the big Frenchman coming through an under-21 game against West Ham on Monday night was a welcome sight for all Spurs supporters.

Villas-Boas has confirmed that Kaboul's knee injury on the opening day of the Premier League season at Newcastle was the primary reason why Michael Dawson was retained by the club, with the England defender emerging as a key man in the Tottenham line-up despite coming close to sealing a move to QPR back in August.

With veteran centre-back William Gallas turning in some woefully below par performances in recent weeks, the return of Kaboul will give Spurs additional defensive options ahead of their next Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday April 21.

By then, Tottenham could find themselves a massive seven points behind Arsenal as their fading bid for a return to the Champions League begins to unravel, with wingers Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon injury doubts ahead of what will be must-win game against in-form Premier League champions City at White Hart Lane.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.