Journalist Alasdair Gold has revealed what “medical experts” have told him about Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven’s injury.

In his latest YouTube video, Gold gives an update on Micky van de Ven’s injury and says the defender is still expected to return in the new year.

The 22-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the defeat to Chelsea and was not due to return until next year.

A post on Van de Ven’s Instagram account at the weekend gave many Tottenham fans hope that he could return earlier than planned. But Gold said on Friday that nothing had changed in the defender’s recovery timetable.

Now the Football.London journalist has shared what medical experts have told him about the Dutchman’s recovery.

Gold has insisted that Van de Ven’s recovery timetable remains unchanged for now.

The journalist also claims that medical experts have told him that while Van de Ven has not undergone surgery, it could still take up to 12 weeks for him to be fit again.

“At the moment he still seems to be on the original timetable for his recovery,” Gold said. “The other thing people are saying is, ‘Because he hasn’t had surgery, he won’t be out that long’. That’s not how it works.

“I’ve spoken to medical experts about it and not just used my own knowledge by googling on the NHS website, which I have done. Medical experts have told me that even a hamstring injury that doesn’t need surgery can take 12 weeks to heal. It can still take that long.

I think you can have a grade 3 injury, which is the worst, and still not need surgery. Again, the grade of the injury hasn’t been announced yet.”

The loss of Van de Ven until the new year is a big blow for Ange Postecoglou.

The Dutchman has developed excellently since his move from Wolfsburg in the summer, and James Maddison is also likely to be out for a while after his ankle injury.

Postecoglou will, however, have Destiny Udogie available for the game against Aston Villa next weekend, while Cristian Romero will have to sit out two more games after being sent off against Chelsea.

Spurs are unlikely to rush Van de Ven back into action amid fears the defender could aggravate his persistent hamstring injury.

Tottenham fans know that these injuries can easily flare up again, as Ryan Sessegnon and Dele Alli have had similar problems.