Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is optimistic over a return to full time first team action with the north London derby against Arsenal looming.
The Belgian international has started just three Premier League games for Spurs this season as he struggles to return to full fitness.
After foot surgery in May the 30-year-old admitted that he would never be fully fit again, but that he would play through the pain for Spurs.
With the first north London derby of the season coming up on Saturday, Dembele says he is feeling good.
"My injury is much better,” he told Sky Sports.
“I played 45 minutes in the last game (against Crystal Palace) so it is good. Of course, I want to be playing for the team and adding my value but right now I am very optimistic and feel good.
"For us every game is important but we know there is some extra vibe the for this kind of game (vs Arsenal), it's very important for us.
"Also, like the fans, we have the same goal, we want to achieve something as a club and any team that we play we want to beat, we want to win. That is the same with this game, we are aware of the importance of this derby."
Dembele also took time to praise the influence of manager Mauricio Pochettino on the squad, saying he instils the right mentality in his players every day.
“We work with him every day and you can see the way we play, how fit we are, how positive we try to play,” Dembele added.
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“From the outside, you can see the mentality of the team and this is the vibe that we get every day from the coach."
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