Thomas Frank set to include two Tottenham rising stars vs Doncaster after developments in last 24 hours
Thomas Frank could be about to hand two Tottenham academy starlets the memory of a lifetime against Doncaster Rovers.
The Lilywhites open their Carabao Cup campaign on home turf on Wednesday evening, and it is likely to be a heavily rotated team for the visit of the League One outfit.
Tottenham will be desperate to avoid an upset against Doncaster, and will be aiming to continue their bright start to the new season in the process.
Frank is likely to hand minutes to several of the players who have been on the fringes of the first-team squad, while it could also become a very special evening for two academy stars.
Luca Williams-Barnett and Jun’ai Byfield to be part of Tottenham squad
Luca Williams-Barnett is already making headlines at Tottenham for his rapid rise through the youth ranks, and Wednesday night could see him break through into the first team for the first time.
The attacking midfielder netted a hat-trick and notched an assist in the recent 6-3 win over Leicester City’s U21s in Premier League 2, and that came just weeks after he scored and assisted against Bristol Rovers in the Vertu Trophy.
The Lilywhites’ U21s side continued their campaign in that competition on Tuesday night, and were beaten 6-2 by a rampant Plymouth Argyle side in their second group game.
- Williams-Barnett is an attacking midfielder who already has five goals and three assits from five games this season
- Byfield is a centre-back and has already been on the bench for Spurs against Villarreal and PSG
- The duo were both absent from the squad vs Plymouth, despite starting in the previous Vertu Trophy game
There were some notable absences from the squad that made the trip to Devon, with Williams-Barnett and fellow 16-year-old Jun’ai Byfield both left out, despite the duo having started in each of the academy’s last five games in Premier League 2 and the Vertu Torphy.
Their absences from the encounter with Plymouth suggest that they have been working with Frank and the first-team squad ahead of Wednesday night’s tie, and as a result, are highly likely to be involved in the matchday squad against Doncaster.
Thomas Frank needs Spurs to have an easy night vs Doncaster
Byfield and Williams-Barnett are two of Tottenham’s brightest young prospects at the moment, but Frank will be extremely mindful of how he uses them if they are included in Wednesday’s squad.
The boss will be hoping that his side can build a comfortable lead for themselves before the hour mark, with a view to then bringing the duo on for their senior debuts in the latter stages at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, if the game remains tight heading into the final minutes, then it is highly unlikely that he will want to throw the starlets in at the deep end and put pressure on them to perform.
The pair are both incredibly talented players, but it is important for Frank to remember that they are both playing effectively five years above their age group, and the first team will be yet another step up.
If they are involved against Doncaster, it has the potential to be a special night for the duo, but if they are not managed carefully, then it could quickly turn sour.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Tottenham Hotspur news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @tottenhamnews247