Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley has stated there is "no suggestion" Tottenham are looking to recall Dane Scarlett from his loan spell in January. Featuring regularly in the Tottenham matchday squad last campaign, it was decided that the 18-year-old could depart on loan to get some regular first-team football under his belt.
Getting the minutes he requires at Fratton Park, Scarlett has chipped in with five goals and two assists in his 23 games in all competitions. With Tottenham recalling players in the past at the turn of the year and sending them elsewhere, the Portsmouth manager has opened up on his loan ace ahead of the January window and given an insight into their contact with the north London club.
"Dane is 18, but he trained last week and he looked frightening," explained Cowley to The News. "Some of his one v one play and finishing, wow. He has these days where you see this outstanding potential he possesses.
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"‘He’s just a young player who is still trying to learn about himself, learn about his game and learn about his position and how to perform consistently week in, week out. As I’ve said though on numerous occasions it’s a privilege to work with him every day.
"It’s been pretty open (with Spurs). We speak daily if not weekly. These big clubs they have the necessary support mechanisms to help their young players and rightly so. We’ve got clear lines of communication.
"With 99 per cent of loan players there’s a recall. We understand why that is in place. But there is no suggestion they are looking to call him back."
Tottenham and Portsmouth will go head-to-head at the start of next month with the sides meeting in an FA Cup third round tie at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Not receiving permission to play in the first two rounds of the competition, Scarlett and Pompey were hoping he would be able to feature in the third round until they were paired against Spurs.
The young hotshot did in fact ask his manager if he would be able to play in the game, but FA rules do not allow a loan player to come up against their parent club in the competition.
"Dane was in to me, asking if he could play in that game," added Cowley. "We’ll obviously do everything we can to win - but at the same time we’ll be super nice to Antonio Conte in the hope he won’t call him back!"
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