Tottenham's Carabao Cup clash with Doncaster has been thrown into the spotlight after a bizarre twist in the script as academy gem Damola Ajayi is set to line up against his parent club. The 19-year-old attacker, who only burst onto the scene last January with a thunderbolt debut strike against Elfsborg in the Europa League, was sent on loan to Rovers in the summer. Now, in a rare exception to the usual rules, he's been given the green light to feature on Wednesday night against Spurs.
Ajayi chasing big moment
Ajayi had only one senior Spurs outing to his name before being loaned out. And now, head coach Thomas Frank, who took the reins at Tottenham earlier this year, insists he has no problem with him taking to the field in north London.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportFrank remains unfazed
Frank said: "I think it's OK. He's on loan at another club. I know the Premier League have this if you're on loan from a club, you're not allowed to play [rule]. We decided to loan him out because it was good for his development. I've done that a thousand times. Maybe not a thousand times, a lot of times at Brentford, but we haven't been that lucky to face one of our own players. It is what it is. I think it's a great opportunity for him."
Frank vows strong side despite rotation
Frank has made it clear that Tottenham won’t take the contest lightly. The manager confirmed that backup goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky will start, but promised a heavyweight lineup otherwise. Injuries have forced a few changes. Ben Davies and Randal Kolo Muani are sidelined, but there is hope that youngsters Kota Takai and Dominic Solanke will at least make the bench after returning to training.
"Of course I’d like to win. No doubt about that. For me, I think we probably need to take one game at a time," Frank added. "I’m very aware (of the expectation). I think it’s that balance that as I said, I would like us to get there where we can compete in all four tournaments throughout the year. If you want to compete in all four tournaments, you need to be good enough to pick the right team every single time. And I promise you before I pick the team, it looks like an unbelievably good plan. I think we’re also aware that no players can play 60 games x 90 minutes. So, it’s that balance we need to hit throughout the season. Not only because we are facing Doncaster. We need to hit that perfect number of players that rotates and then a strong team. And it will be a strong team.”
Getty Images SportWolves up after in hectic week
After Wednesday night’s clash with Doncaster, Spurs are back in Premier League action at the weekend, with Wolves arriving in north London on Saturday. Frank will hope his balancing act keeps the squad fresh enough to avoid any slip-ups.