Milos Veljkovic: Tottenham Hotspur Defender to Join Middlesbrough on Three-Month Loan

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Milos Veljkovic will join Championship club Middlesbrough on a three-month loan deal, the Serbian youth international has confirmed.

The 19-year-old made his first two professional appearances for Spurs last season in the Premier League wins over Sunderland and Aston Villa but the timing of his departure comes as a surprise with the club facing Brighton and Hove Albion in the League Cup at the end of the month.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has handed top-flight debuts to the likes of Ryan Mason this season and could look to other members of the Tottenham academy to supplement his squad ahead of domestic cup and Europa League commitments.

"I'm leaving on a three-month loan," Veljkovic told Belgrade daily Telegraf.

"Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka called me to talk about the possibility. He was previously an assistant to Jose Mourinho. I am happy to get the chance. In January, a loan could be extended to the end of the season."

Currently occupying a play-off place after 11 matches, Middlesbrough are expected to compete for a promotion place this season, with Veljkovic likely to play a significant role as he stages a bid for a second chance with Tottenham.

Meanwhile, Pochettino's commitment to using Tottenham's academy graduates in his first team has defined his initial three months in north London and the Argentine manager has admitted he is not scared to drop first-team regulars if their performance drops off.

"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."