Ange Postecoglou says Lucas Bergvall's development has given him another option in midfield but played down the chances of the teenager starting Tottenham's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Thursday ahead of Yves Bissouma.
Bergvall, 18, made his first Premier League start in Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of Southampton, with Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur both suspended.
Bissouma will return to contention for United's visit to north London, with Postecoglou saying he would make a decision on his line-up on the day but wary of the toll of Bergvall's first 90 minutes in the top flight.
"It's good to have an option there," the Spurs head coach said on Wednesday. "Lucas did fantastically well the other night and he has done in the last two or three games he has played for us as he's really made an impact.
"But the other night I thought he was really good. In the first half he really showed maturity playing that role, discipline and real quality as well. It's good to have that option.
"Having Biss available is great as well. I'll make a decision tomorrow but at the same time that was Lucas' first start for quite a while and he did tire noticeably in the second half so we'll have to see how he's recovered from the game."
Postecoglou has also been encouraged by the performances of another of Spurs' teenage summer signings, Archie Gray, who has been filled in at centre-half in the last two matches.
Gray, also 18, is set to keep his place alongside Radu Dragusin against United and in Sunday's visit of Liverpool, with Postecoglou not expecting Ben Davies to be fit until next week and Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both expected back in the New Year.
“He hasn’t missed a beat, and it’s brilliant to watch," Postecoglou said of Gray.
Archie has done really well, the way he’s handled what we are asking him to do a really big job not just for a one-off game
"The rest of the lads have obviously helped him. Radu is the experienced one next to him at 22, and Destiny [Udogie], 22, either side of him.
"That’s where we’re at in terms of the squad and all the young boys stepping in, I think’s super exciting through a tough period for the squad where we are at from the squad perspective. The young guys are shouldering a big part of the load.
"That’s a brilliant thing for us because hopefully we get to smoother waters and we are going to be so much better equipped for what’s ahead. Archie has done really well, his defending has been really solid, obviously he’s got quality on the ball but the way he’s handled what we are asking him to do a really big job not just for a one-off game. He’s handled it brilliantly."
