Dembele delighted to be back in Spurs shirt

Mousa Dembele was just delighted to be back playing football for Tottenham Hotspur, on Saturday, after enduring a difficult start to the new season.

The Belgian picked up a hamstring injury against Sunderland last month, having missed the first four games through suspension for gouging the eye of Diego Costa, last season.

There had been concerns that a foot injury would keep him out of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom, but the 29-year-old came off the bench to replace Moussa Sissoko after 65 minutes.

“I’m back now and I’m happy,” he said.

“I haven’t had too much luck this season with injuries but the team is doing well, I’m back and I’m happy the supporters are pleased to see me.

“I’ve missed it, of course. This is what it’s about, playing football.”

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Spurs may have had to share the point with the Baggies, but they still sit third in the Premier League, a single point behind Arsenal and Manchester City.

And Dembele insisted Spurs are a much improved side after fighting back from a goal down with a late Dele Alli strike.

“In the past, maybe we would have our heads down and be disappointed but we fought back. It’s so difficult to win here but it is everywhere in the Premier League,” he added.