Lamela's absence has been one of the more disappointing things about this season to me.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/tottenham-boss-sherwood-dismisses-rumor-of-lamela-return-041714There is "no chance" of club-record signing Erik Lamela featuring for Tottenham before the season is out, according to head coach Tim Sherwood.
Billed as Spurs' ready-made replacement for Gareth Bale, the 22-year-old's summer arrival for £30million ($50.45million) was greeted by excitement at White Hart Lane.
However, Lamela has so far been a huge disappointment in north London, managing just three Barclays Premier League starts in a debut season blighted by injury.
A report on Thursday suggested the Argentina international will return to training next week after his latest complaint and that head coach Sherwood is under pressure to give him a run-out before the season is out.
The Spurs head coach recently stated that Lamela would not be available this season due to a back complaint and was bemused by the latest speculation.
"There'll be no chance Erik's fit," Sherwood said. "I read in the paper, or someone told me, that the hierarchy here are asking for him to get more opportunities.
"Chance would be a fine thing, he's injured."
That news will no doubt frustrate Tottenham supporters, who have not seen Lamelain action since he came off the bench against Stoke on December 29.