Ex-Tottenham scout rates Dele Alli's chances of making sensational comeback

Ex-Tottenham star Dele Alli must be able to get himself fit and in the physical space to play football once again if he is to make his return.

That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 30-year-old is currently live streaming on Twitch, having been out of football for more than a year since leaving Serie A side Como.

Alli has made just one senior appearance in the last three years, having spent his final years at Everton ruled out through injury before failing to break into the Como team.

The former England international is reportedly open to making a return to football as a free agent, yet it remains unclear at what level he has attracted interest at.

The midfielder trained with Tottenham last season and has since been pictured keeping fit with both Barnet and Isthmian League outfit Windsor & Eton.

Dele Alli has to 'earn a contract'

Nine years ago, Alli was coming off a season that had seen him score 22 goals and provide nine assists across all competitions for Tottenham.

The midfielder was England's most exciting talent and he was expected to dominate English football for years to come.

Through a mixture of injuries and personal issues, the drop-off since has been harsh and incredibly severe. Yet the talent remains, and could well still be put to use.

"He's been training with Barnet and Windsor & Eton. This is a boy who 11 years ago, cost £5million," King told Football Insider.

"He made an awful lot of appearances for Tottenham, in excess of 250. He's played nearly 40 times for England. The biggest question for him is getting himself fit.

"He can get himself fit, but when he's putting himself under that kind of pressure to get fit, he's going to be picking up injuries as far as I could work out. And that's always going to be a problem.

"Great, he's a free agent. But he's got to earn a contract. He can't earn a contract on what he's done in the past 10 years because he was unreliable."

Alli hints at upcoming opportunity

Alli has hinted that he could well be set to return to the pitch imminently, although it remains unclear exactly where or at what level.

Speaking to former teammate Harry Kane while live streaming, the 30-year-old said: "I've got some things happening - I'll update you off stream."

Those "things" could well be related to his new-found streaming career, but his commitment to staying fit would suggest that his return to the pitch is coming.

Alli remains a treasured name at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and fans will hope to see his talents on show again.