Spurs' club-record signing Erik Lamela could hand boss Tim Sherwood a boost before the end of the season as the Argentinian forward has been pictured back in training.

The 22-year-old, who cost £30million from Roma, has not featured since Spurs' 3-0 win over Stoke on December 29 after suffering a back problem.

However, with the World Cup looming on the horizon and vital matches ahead for the north London side, the sight of Lamela back in training will no doubt please everyone connected with the club.

Back on track: Spurs forward Erik Lamela returned to training following injury and could feature for the north London side before the end of the season

Rare sighting: Lamela has struggled for form at Spurs since signing in the summer and has been out with injury

Cautious: Spurs boss Tim Sherwood is unsure if Lamela will make a return to before the end of the season

A coach with the Argentina team, Nacho Campoo posted a video of Lamela training hard on a strange looking piece of equipment and wrote: 'Erik #Lamela por un lugar en el mundial #todoonada' – 'Erik Lamela # for a place in the World Cup # todoonada.'

Spurs boss Sherwood was cautious about whether Lamela would feature before the end of the season.

'He's back now at the training ground; he's having rehab. It's slowly, slowly, he's getting closer, as you would expect,' said Sherwood.

'There was a problem with his thigh, then they diagnosed the problem with his back.

'(He is) having continued treatment and now he's started rehab.

 
Early struggles: Lamela, left, challenges Fulham's Giorgos Karagounis, has suffered in his first season at Spurs

Timely return: Lamela, seen here playing against Hull in the Capital One Cup, has been pictured training at Spurs' training ground

'We're hoping to have him back before the end of the season but there are no guarantees with that.'

Lamela started just three times for Spurs since his signing as part of Andre Villas-Boas's buy-up following the sale of Gareth Bale. His only goal came against FC Sheriff in the Europa League.

His request to go out on loan in January was rejected, with the powers that be deciding he would be better served staying in England.