Van der Vaart hopes to return ahead of schedule

Published: 11 Sep 2011 - 12:30:12

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Van der Vaart hopes to return ahead of schedule

Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart hopes to return from a hamstring injury ahead of schedule and has targeted a comeback in his club's Premier League match against Liverpool next weekend.

Van der Vaart was expected to be out of action for at least six weeks after suffering the injury during Tottenham's 5-1 home defeat by Manchester City last month.

The 28-year-old missed Holland's Euro 2012 qualifiers and was also sidelined as Harry Redknapp's team secured their first win of the season against Wolves on Saturday.

But the former Real Madrid star's recovery has progressed quicker than expected and he is optimistic he will be fit for next weekend's clash with Liverpool and could even return against PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Thursday.

"I have been treated intensively by (physiotherapist) Dick van Toorn," Van der Vaart told his official website.

"I was able to do proper turns again and regular sprints. Next weekend seems like no problem to me!"