Five youngsters Thomas Frank must play vs Doncaster, including star Kulusevski named Tottenham’s most ‘underrated’

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Spurs kick-start their EFL Cup campaign with a home tie against Doncaster Rovers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The clash in North London will present Thomas Frank with the chance to properly cast his eye over some of the team’s fringe and youth players.

Tottenham Hotspur are likely to field a heavily rotated lineup, which means that several youngsters could be in line to make their first-team debuts on Wednesday.

Ahead of the match, TBR Football takes a look at five youngsters who could get their chance to impress Spurs’ new manager against the League One side.

Dane Scarlett

After failing to secure a loan move away, Dane Scarlett remained at the North London club and is continuing to train with the first team.

The 20-year-old hasn’t played a single minute of football this season, so surely Frank could give him his chance to feature against Doncaster.

Dejan Kulusevski named Scarlett Tottenham’s most ‘underrated’ player last season following his first goal for the club in the Europa League.

With Randal Kolo Muani still a doubt with a dead leg, Dominic Solanke only just back in individual training and Richarlison needing a rest, this could be the chance to start Scarlett.

Scarlett is unlikely to get a chance in any other competition for Spurs, so it would seem strange for Frank to keep him around if he weren’t to feature.

Luca Williams-Barnett

Luca Williams-Barnett is one of the jewels of Spurs’ academy right now, following his hugely impressive start to life playing for the Under-21s.

The 16-year-old has six goals in six matches this season, having recently been promoted to play for Wayne Burnett’s team.

Last Friday, Williams-Barnett scored a hat-trick against Leicester U-21 to claim his first match ball in the Premier League 2.

Tottenham and England both rate Williams-Barnett as a ‘top prospect’, and the teenager already looks worthy of some first-team minutes.

Jun’ai Byfield

Jun’ai Byfield made the step up to U-21 level with Williams-Barnett and has looked almost as impressive at centre-back for Tottenham.

Byfield was on Tottenham’s bench against Villarreal in the Champions League, just hours after playing 90 minutes in the UEFA Youth League.

The 16-year-old defender is another player the North London club have high hopes for, having captained England at U-17 level.

Radu Dragusin and Kavin Danso could start against Doncaster, but it would be great to see Byfield come off the bench to make his debut.

Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny

Tottenham signed Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny from Chelsea back in January, and the youngster looks to be an impressive midfielder.

The 19-year-old has six assists in six matches for the U-21 this season, including two against League Two team Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy.

Russell-Denny was named the captain of the U-21s this season, having impressed at Hotspur Way following his move from Cobham.

Tynan Thompson

Tynan Thompson is another exciting, young winger starring at U-21 level, with three goals and two assists in six matches.

During pre-season, Tottenham fans were impressed by Thompson in their draw against Wycombe as he assisted Pape Matar Sarr’s goal.