Milos Veljkovic returns to Tottenham after Middlesbrough loan spell

Tottenham Hotspur defender Milos Veljkovic has returned to the club following a disappointing three-month loan spell at Middlesbrough.

The Serbia Under-21 international played just four times for Boro, making just a single start during his time with the club, and returns to White Hart Lane in the hope he can agree a move for the second half of the campaign.

Veljkovic had hoped the deal would be extended until the end of the season however the youngster will have to settle on returning to Tottenham with uncertainty hanging over his future.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said: "I'd like to thank Milos for his efforts while he was here and wish him all the best for the future. I'd also like to thank Tottenham for allowing him to come here for three months."

Seven players are currently out on loan from Tottenham, including midfield pair Lewis Holtby and Tom Carroll, while Alex Pritchard has impressed on loan at Brentford.

While some of Spurs' Premier League rivals often stifle the progression of their young players, the development of Ryan Mason and Harry Kane, both of whom have emerged this season, prove the club are willing to blood academy players in the first team.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has been content to leave out established first team players in order to give young players opportunities, and the Argentine boss has hinted he will continue that policy for the foreseeable future.

"If I decide you play then you play, but the name is nothing for me when I pick my team," he said. "Every day, they fight for their places.

"When I pick the best players for each game, I analyse the last performance. I have no problem to change, I have no problem to pick different players in different competitions or if it's not a good moment - if you need to change, you change."