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Graham Roberts has dismissed claims that Tottenham should give Joe Rodon his first start for the club at the weekend.

Spurs travel to Bulgarian side Ludogorets on Thursday in the Europa League, before a trip to West Brom on Sunday in the league for the final fixture before the international break.

Jose Mourinho’s side signed Rodon in the summer window for £11million (BBC) from Swansea City and he’s a highly-rated defender that was earning a top reputation in the Championship.

The 23-year-old is unavailable for European games and so far his sole Spurs appearance was a late cameo in the closing stages of a league win over Burnley.

Roberts responded on social media to a post that suggested this Sunday’s league fixture against West Brom is the ideal chance to start Rodon, claiming that Mourinho needs to stick with his best team.

“That’s not an easy game [away to West Brom]. It’s a tough place to go to. Play your best team as there’s a break,” Roberts wrote on his official Twitter account.

TBR’s View:

Rodon’s game-time is going to be limited during the next couple of months and the centre-back is going to be patient, but it’s a good chance for him to get integrated into the squad and he’s clearly a highly-rated talent that Spurs like.

The Wales international is likely to get minutes during the upcoming two-week break with his country and it’ll be great for him to get some play time.

It’s a huge shame that he’s unavailable for the Europa League group stage matches, but he should get his opportunities in the second-half of the season and right now it’s about him impressing Mourinho on the training pitch.