Tottenham Hotspur defender Younes Kaboul played for the first time since the opening day of the Premier League season when he appeared for their Under-21 side against West Ham United on Monday evening.

The Frenchman has been absent for almost eight months after aggravating the knee injury that kept him out of Euro 2012 in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United in August.

Spurs' medical staff had hoped that the 27-year-old would be able to return soon after New Year, but his recovery has been slower than expected.

However, he managed to get through an hour at Upton Park unscathed and now may be available for the Lillywhites' match with Manchester City later this month.

Kaboul was named Tottenham's Player of the Season for the 2011-12 campaign.