OPINION
Tottenham Hotspur get a much-needed break from the rigours of Premier League football this weekend when they visit Tranmere Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup.
Obviously Spurs cannot take this tie lightly with the FA Cup a major chance of silverware for them this season, but it does represent a chance for Mauricio Pochettino to rotate heavily and rest some of his key players.
The League Two side will no doubt put up a good fight, but Pochettino will have faith that his second string have enough to get past the Merseyside club with relative ease.
Friday’s clash may also present the opportunity for the Argentine to blood a youngster or two, with midfielder Oliver Skipp certainly set to build on his six first-team appearances.
One other youngster who has been threatening to break through this season is 18-year-old defender Timothy Eyoma, who was on the bench for their 1-0 win over Burnley in December.
The versatile youngster has been one of the academy’s brightest stars this season, making brilliant progress to put himself on Pochettino’s first-team radar.
Defence has been an area of concern for Spurs in recent weeks due to injuries, with Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier both ruled out through injury.
That has meant Toby Alderweireld has played 90 minutes in the club’s last nine matches, with the Belgium international in need of a rest, while Davinson Sanchez is making his way back from injury with starts in their last two matches.
With Sanchez also potentially in need of a rest, that opens the door for Eyoma to be involved against Tranmere in some capacity.
Obviously starting him may be slightly premature, but there is no reason why the youngster cannot be given another place on the bench with a potential debut coming in the second half if the game is wrapped up.
Opportunities to blood youngster do not come too often for a top team like Spurs, and Pochettino must take advantage when he can by giving the never-before-seen Eyoma a chance to impress against Tranmere.