Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham Hotspur do not need a new striker to qualify for the Champions League

Mauricio Pochettino has insisted Tottenham Hotspur will compete for a top-four finish irrespective of whether they sign a new striker. The Argentine has just one first team out-and-out centre-forward at his disposal at the moment, in Harry Kane, and is reportedly interested in bringing in West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino to provide competition.

However, Pochettino has insisted he would only sign a striker in the January transfer window if said player would improve the squad. "There have been a lot of rumours since the beginning of the season," he said during a pre-match press conference, according to the Evening Standard.

"Our supporters need to understand that we have a project, and projects are different at different clubs. The market is very difficult in winter and our power is in the changing room, within the squad and the team.

"It's not about having one player more or one player less. It's important that if, in the end, we find the right player who can help us, he will come – but if he doesn't, it's not a big worry for me. I can understand people are concerned that we need one more striker, but we are very confident in following the same direction as the first half of the season."

Tottenham face high-flying Leicester City at White Hart Lane on 13 January, with both teams set to field strong line-ups after resting key players for their FA Cup tie. Kane is likely to be restored to Tottenham's starting line-up, while Mousa Dembele has also returned to the squad after suffering a thigh injury.

Spurs currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League, four points behind Claudio Ranieri's side.