14 Apr 2010

Van Persie returns to start on the bench

9:34 am on 14 April 2010

Arsenal's Robin Van Persie is back in the squad for tomrrow's English Premier League football North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur after a long injury layoff.

Manager Arsene Wenger says it's a but premature forr the World Cup bound Dutch star to start but he'll probably be on the bench at White Hart Lane.

Van Persie's recovery will be welcome news for Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

Third-placed Arsenal, three points behind leaders Chelsea with five games left, need a win to keep up their title bid while fifth-placed Spurs are four points behind Manchester City with a game in hand in the battle for fourth.

Both sides are struggling with injuries to key players with Arsenal's casualities including missing Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp saying he's struggling to find 11 fit players.