Danny Rose is struggling in his battle to return for Tottenham's FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.
Rose has been missing from the Tottenham team since the draw at Sunderland at the end of January as he undergoes rehabilitation from a knee injury.
Rose will start training outdoors this week and begin more intensive ball work but Sportsmail understands it is unlikely he will be at the required level of intensity to play as a full back in Mauricio Pochettino's high energy system in such a high-stakes game.
Spurs are not ruling out his inclusion at Wembley but the North London derby at home to Arsenal the following week may be a more realistic aim for Rose.