Ange Postecoglou is pleased to have Tottenham vice-captain Cristian Romero back from suspension for the visit of West Ham, but has not felt the need to speak with the defender about his discipline.
Romero was sent off in Spurs鈥 costly 4-1 loss at home to Chelsea on November 6, which resulted in the Argentina international serving a three-match ban.
It was Romero鈥檚 fourth red card during his 75-game Tottenham career and, while he is recognised as a fine centre-back, the occasional rush of blood has proved costly.
鈥淲hen he oversteps mark the whole group pays a price so it鈥檚 up to him to maintain discipline I know he can show, but more importantly he鈥檚 such a strong presence on the field and in during the week, so good to have him back.
鈥淗is training has been good but he鈥檚 been frustrated because 鈥 not just the fact he has missed out 鈥 but he has understood the situation we鈥檝e been in.
鈥淚t was not like he was the only one missing. All of a sudden post-Chelsea we lost Micky (Van de Ven), we lost Destiny (Udogie), we lost pretty much our whole back four, we lost Madders (James Maddison) and he knows how important he is.
鈥淗e was frustrated and he had the international week which was good for him because he got a couple of games in there and away from here, but he鈥檚 been ready to go.
Romero鈥檚 return was always going to boost Spurs, but occurs at a time where their fringe centre-backs are also suffering fitness issues.
Youngster Ash Phillips sustained an ankle injury last month, while Eric Dier is absent for the foreseeable future with a groin problem he picked up last week.
鈥淩omero鈥檚 the only recognised centre-half fit at the moment because Micky van de Ven, Eric Dier and Ashley Phillips are all out,鈥 Postecoglou added.
鈥淎t this stage, because Eric hasn鈥檛 trained for over a week now and we鈥檙e working on the issue, I assume when he does get back, he鈥檒l need a bit of time. It鈥檚 a groin issue.鈥
Meanwhile, Postecoglou played down speculation Maddison could be out until February with his ankle injury after the England international told Amazon Prime this week he could be out until beyond his anticipated January return date.
He added: 鈥淚鈥檓 not sure about James鈥 medical qualifications, whether we should go with his diagnosis. I鈥檒l leave it to the medical team. As far as I know, it鈥檚 going along OK.鈥
Tottenham entertain West Ham after battling back to earn an excellent point at Manchester City, which ended their three-match losing run.
Postecoglou added: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 like losing, it doesn鈥檛 sit well with me and I like winning, but for me last week was not about getting a result, it is the manner in which you do it.
鈥淲hile it has been three losses and the draw last week, I still think our performances are the most important thing that sustains you through that period.鈥
