Ange Postecoglou drops Alfie Dorrington team news hint ahead of Tottenham v West Ham clash
Ange Postecoglou is currently operating with one hand tied behind his back due to the large number of Tottenham players out injured.
Ahead of Thursday’s (7 December) Premier League showdown with West Ham, as many as 10 players are either definitely out or doubtful [Premier Injuries].
It was a similar case against Manchester City last weekend, yet that did not hold the Lilywhites back as they drew a thrilling game 3-3.
Academy product Jamie Donley came off the substitutes’ bench in that game, while Alfie Dorrington was part of the squad but not used.
Dorrington is highly regarded at Tottenham – explaining why he is already part of the squad at just 18 – and may be in line for his senior bow.
Given he only started training with the first team in October, that would be quite the achievement for the teenage defender.
Postecoglou certainly seems ready to turn to Dorrington if another injury strikes, though, which you would not rule out on Spurs’ recent run of luck.
“He’s been in the squad the last three to four weeks so we’ve had plenty of time to look at him,” Postecoglou said on Wednesday (6 December), as per Football.London.
“We’ve still got a lot of injuries but we’ve got a lot of games ahead so [Alfie] could get his chance in the weeks ahead.”
That is a chance Dorrington will be eager to grab with both hands, just like he has done at every step up to this point for club and country.
The Enfield native is already a regular at Under-21s level and has been capped five times for England Under-19s.
Dorrington was part of the successful Tottenham Under-17s side that won the Premier League Cup, before lifting the same trophy with the U18s.
It is clear why Tottenham were eager to tie him down to a new deal until 2026, and the next stage in his development now seems obvious.
Postecoglou will not want to throw an 18-year-old in at the deep end, of course, but he may have little choice as we enter a gruelling period.
The fixtures are coming thick and fast, and it may be that Dorrington is soon given the chance to show his worth on the Premier League stage.
If not now, that moment will come in the not-too-distant future. And if his development up to now is anything to go by, he will be just fine.
In other Tottenham news, a finance expert says a points deduction is not off the table at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.