Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has offered a lifeline to Djed Spence.
The summer signing has been handed only one minute of competitive action this season after a protracted move from Middlesbrough and Conte has previously been dismissive about the prospect of replacing Emerson Royal with either Spence or Matt Doherty.
Emerson is suspended for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Everton and his absence will force Conte's hand.
“I was really pleased with Matthew. Last season he struggled but then he became a really important player for us," he said at Friday's pre-match press conference.
“Also Djed, he's working and improving and he's starting to understand which is the demand to stay at Tottenham."