It could be an exciting night for one young Tottenham player and the Spurs fans on Tuesday.
17-year-old striker Troy Parrott has been making noises for the ROI Under-21s recently, with three goals over the international break. He scored for the Tottenham Under-19s on his return.
And we think he’s going to get his debut for the first team in the EFL Cup against Colchester.
We don’t think he’ll start – he’s only 17 and Pochettino will want to protect him – but we think this is the perfect opportunity for Pochettino to unleash him, against League 2 opposition.
Goalkeeper
Fans were surprised when Paulo Gazzaniga lined up against Leicester on Saturday but it turned out Hugo Lloris’ wife was due to give birth. Given that, we expect Gazzaniga to start again v Colchester.
Defenders
Ben Davies can come in for his first start of the season, with Kyle Walker-Peters on the right after his injury. Davinson Sanchez, who had deputised on the right, can show what he can do in his normal position and Juan Foyth, if fit, should line up alongside him.
Midfielders
Oliver Skipp made his debut in this competition last season and he’s made 14 senior appearances since. However, he’s still very much on the fringes of the side and has only made two one-minute cameos this season. The 19-year-old should make it 15 appearances on Tuesday, alongside Eric Dier, who is yet to feature for Tottenham this season after injury.
Attackers
After Tashan Oakley-Boothe was given his debut against Ipswich two years ago in the EFL Cup, it should be Parrott’s turn on Tuesday. The fans are desperate to see it. The only thing standing between him and a start is that Pochettino is keen not to overexpose him too soon. The Daily Mail claimed the Spurs manager had asked senior ROI manager Mick McCarthy not to include him in the senior ROI set-up yet. For that reason, he will likely find himself on the bench and be afforded a few minutes at the end, like Oakley-Boothe two years ago. Lucas Moura should start up top, with Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela behind him.
Changes
Out: Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Winks, Ndombele, Sissoko, Son, Kane
In: Davis, Sanchez, Foyth, Skipp, Dier, Alli, Eriksen, Lucas
Injuries
No word on whether Ryan Sessegnon is recovered from his hamstring problem yet – he could feature, too. Giovani Lo Celso is the only long-term injury for Tottenham.
This is the starting XI we expect Pochettino to announce ahead of Colchester on Tuesday:
