Lee Returns to Tottenham After Layoff

Lee Young-pyo (29, Tottenham Hotspur), who was benched for 41 days, returned to the field for Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.

Back from an ankle injury and fierce competition for the top 11, Lee played full time and even played overtime as the left wing back in the 2006-2007 Carling Cup match against Port Vale, which took place at White Hart Lane Stadium in London on Thursday.

The last game Lee played in was against Slavia Prague (Czech) on September 29, the second match of the first round of the 2006-2007 Union of European Football Associations Cup.

Lee had been receiving treatment for an ankle ligament injury, and rumors that Lee would be sent to another team like AS Rome (Italy), a team that he turned down a transfer to before, crept up again as players such as Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Pascal Chimbonda ran in his place. Lee denied the rumors.

Lee was active, launching midrange shots and attempting crosses. Tottenham gave up the first goal to Port Vale in the 19th minute of the second half, but Tom Huddlestone came back with the equalizer in the 35th minute of the second half. In the ninth minute of the first half of overtime, Huddlestone scored another goal. Jermain Defoe finished the match off with another in the second minute of the second half of overtime, sending Tottenham to the quarterfinals.

Some say that Lee played to let Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Pascal Chimbonda rest, so it is not certain if Lee has won a starting spot.

bluesky@donga.com