Tottenham will face Everton away from home on 19 January at 2pm. A wave of injuries has seen Tottenham centre-backs Romero and Van der Ven miss several games. Archie Gray, the 18-year-old who joined Tottenham from Leeds United last summer, has taken on the responsibility of playing at centre-back.

He has emerged as one of only few Spurs players worthy of credibility in recent weeks after impressing as a makeshift centre-back.

Son, Spurs' captain,who holds the 18-year-old £30million summer acquisition in the highest regard, is delighted with Gray's progress amid the turmoil.

The Korean concluded: "I cannot speak highly enough of him. He is working so hard, what a lovely kid. On and off the pitch he is fantastic.

"I’ve seen so many things with young players, in the media they can get pushed so much and go the wrong way. So I don’t want to celebrate him too much, I want him to stay on the floor as he is now.

"He is a very humble guy, I want him to stay as long as possible as a boy. But as a player, I don’t have to say much. Whatever the team needs - centre back, right-back, left-back, midfielder - he can play any position.

"I spoke to him as well and said to him that playing centre back will help him in the future. He is having to deal with big strikers and that physicality will definitely help him. Any position that he gets game time in, is always good for him. He's doing an amazing job."