Wednesday 17 December 2014 18:51, UK
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has pledged to be careful in how he manages Harry Kane.
Kane, a 21-year-old academy graduate, is thriving in his breakthrough season at White Hart Lane, having scored 11 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions.
Pochettino has started Kane in Tottenham’s last six league games but has indicated he is conscious that overhype and overplaying can affect a young player's development.
He said: “Harry has the potential to be a great player in England. He works hard and scores goals and these are the principle values that he has.
“But he is still young and you need to be careful with younger players. You have to manage, and be careful how you manage, this type of player.
“He needs to develop his game and improve every day and he needs to have the right mentality because this is new for him.”
Tottenham host Newcastle in a Capital One Cup quarter-final on Wednesday, not two months since they were beaten at home by the Tyneside club in the Premier League.
Pochettino insists Tottenham have changed since late October, having won seven of 11 games, lifting themselves to within four points of the top four.
“We are in a different moment now to the one we were in before,” he said. “You always learn every day in football.
"Every game is different, but we understand we need a very good performance because Newcastle are a very good team.
“Tomorrow is an important game for the club and the supporters because we want to reach the semi-finals and hope we all create a good atmosphere together to win the game.”
