Benoit Assou-Ekotto Facing Uncertain Future at Tottenham Hotspur

Benoit Assou-Ekotto's career at Tottenham Hotspur has been all but consigned to the history books after the full-back was omitted from the club's Premier League and Europa League squads for the new campaign.

The Cameroon international spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers but had returned to White Hart Lane in the hope of winning over new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

But with competition at left-back fierce at Tottenham, with new signing Ben Davies, Danny Rose and Kyle Naughton all competing for a place, Pochettino has deemed that Assou-Ekotto will not be involved at all this season after leaving him out of both domestic and European squad lists.

Though Assou-Ekotto could be included in either squad as one of three permitted alterations following the January transfer window, the fact that Pochettino has left two places open instead of selecting the 30 year old suggests his career in north London is essentially over.

Reports emerged in the last fortnight of the summer transfer window that Tottenham were ready to allow Assou-Ekotto – whose contract expires at the end of this season – to leave on a free however the ex-Lens defender has been unable to manufacture an exit from the club.

IBTimes UK understands that Assou-Ekotto is yet to contact mediators Thomas Cooper, who acted on the player's behalf during both his loan move to QPR and after being charged by The Football Association for tweeting about the 'quenelle' gesture, regarding a move in the coming weeks.

Assou-Ekotto is expected to attempt to leave Tottenham upon the opening of the loan window on 9 September however he will be restricted to only joining clubs within The Football League.

The decision to omit Assou-Ekotto represents the final decision made by Pochettino regarding the future of players until January and sees the likes of Etienne Capoue, Ryan Mason and Cristian Ceballos – all of whom have been included on the Premier League list – given hope regarding their involvement this season.