Tottenham midfielder Parker returns to action following Achilles injury

Dec 5, 2012 2:45:00 PM

The England international came through 90 minutes for the reserves but boss Andre Villas-Boas will monitor his progress in light training before he returns to first team football

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker has returned to action for the first time since an operation on an Achilles tendon injury in an outing for the club's Under-21 side.

The England international played 90 minutes as the second-string side were thrashed by Ipswich Town 5-1 but boss Andre Villas-Boas insists that he will not rush the 32-year-old back into the side as he continues to monitor the player's progress.

"We have players coming back to fitness and Scott can be so important for us. He was player of the season last year and we expect him to be one of our main strengths," Villas-Boas told reporters.

Parker was voted Player of the Season by fans at the north London club as the combative midfielder helped them to a fourth-place finish in the league, missing out on a Champions League place due to Chelsea's success in the competition.

The former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder has not played competitively since England's quarter-final defeat on penalties to Italy at Euro 2012.