Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has hinted that young players like Jamie Donley could have first-team opportunities in the coming weeks.
Spurs are currently going through a massive injury crisis with six our of their 11 first-team players out injured.
Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Ashley Phillips, Richarlison, and Pape Matar Sarr, who’s under assessment, join a lengthy injury list which includes Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, and Ryan Sessegnon.
This injury dilemma has left Tottenham has further depleted an already thin squad, presenting a significant challenge for Postecoglou.
Known for nurturing and developing young talents into first-team stars, the manager may now turn to Spurs’ academy prospects.
Tottenham have some very talented youngsters coming through from the academy and the unfortunate injuries could come as an opportunity for them.
And Ange has indicated that he is ready to give youngsters like Donley and Dorrington a chance in the coming weeks. Speaking ahead of the game on weekend, he said (via Football London):
“Jamie and Alfie Dorrington have been training with us pretty regularly over the recent period. Obviously all the injuries but also prior to that they were coming in fairly regularly so I think that’s the first step for all these young guys.”
“Get to the first team environment and then see how they get on with training and how they develop from there and adjust to everything we do and the way we do it. We’re down on numbers so guys like him will get more of an opportunity to make an impact as I said at training and if he continues to do that then the opportunity will come for him.”
Donley in particular has been hugely impressive with the 18-year-old racking up an impressive 6 goals and 11 assists – that is 17 goals and assists in 11 games for the U21s so far this season.
In the absence of James Maddison, the versatile attacker might be able to get some minutes for the first-team in the coming weeks.
