Tottenham star pictured training with national team despite club blocking call-up

Radu Dragusin (right) missed Tottenham's Europa League final triumph over Man Utd through injury

Tottenham centre-back Radu Dragusin has been pictured training in the gym with his Romania team-mates this week after Spurs advised that it was too early to hand the player a full international call-up.

The defender is continuing to step up his recovery from a ruptured ACL and is expected to return to full team training in the forthcoming weeks .

Romania boss Mircea Lucescu wanted to select Dragusin for this month's camp - his side host Moldova (friendly) and Austria (World Cup qualification match) during the break - but he's since claimed Spurs made it clear they do not want to rush the 23-year-old's recovery following a lengthy lay-off.

Dragusin has been sidelined since late January but the crux of his rehabilitation work has now been completed, though Tottenham's medical staff want to nail his return to avoid experiencing any potential setbacks.

Interestingly, it appears the ex-Genoa man has in fact joined up with his international colleagues this week, even though he won't be available for their upcoming fixtures.

Posting on their official Instagram account (@Echipanationalala), Romania uploaded several pictures of Dragusin training in the gym, captioning the post: "The Dragon is back! Nearly returning from the long-term injury he suffered, Radu Dragusin came to Mogosoaia to encourage his colleagues and for a workout in the gym. #GeneratiaDeSuflet."

Dragusin has not been part of the international fold since last November when he played 68 minutes of a 4-1 victory over Cyprus. Providing his return goes as planned, there is a chance he might be available for selection next month.

During his time in his homeland, Dragusin has been speaking about the process and also shed light on why he was unable to feature for his country this week, stating: "Mircea Lucescu wanted me back in the team of course. I wanted to be together with my teammates again and to play for Romania. But, on the other hand, I understood that a couple of weeks more, a month more of waiting will help me for the future.

"Of course, I think I am already ready now, but in the long term it will help me to have more stability and safety for a longer career. Tottenham is taking all measures to come back stronger than before. I tell you that I'm gonna come back in better shape than I was before the injury and in a better position to continue my career.

"ACL is one of the worst injuries in football, if not the worst. You need a longer time to recover than most people imagine. You cannot doubt what the medical staff of Tottenham is doing or the physiotherapists or especially the surgeon who made the surgery. They have the best knowledge and the greatest experience."