Tottenham Hotspur Boss Mauricio Pochettino Rules Out Harry Kane Departure

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has reassured Harry Kane over his future at White Hart Lane.

The England Under-21 international struck an impressive hat trick – taking his tally for the season to six goals – in Thursday's Europa League match with Asteras Tripoli, but was once again dropped to the bench for the visit of Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Kane is yet to start a league game this season with Pochettino looking to Emmanuel Adebayor or Roberto Soldado to lead his attack. His absences have prompted speculation suggesting Spurs could listen to offers for the player during the January transfer window, with Southampton manager Ronald Koeman reportedly an admirer.

But the Spurs boss had moved to reassure the 21-year-old forward, suggesting he may find himself leading the line in the club's next game.

"Harry is a very important player and I am sure he will stay with us for a long time," Pochettino said. "I am head coach and I have to make decisions on selection. I have to analyse the situation and pick different players.

"Harry shares a position with other players in the squad and all the players have the opportunity to play and show themselves.

"There will be many changes tomorrow and maybe Harry will be in the first eleven."

Kane has made sporadic appearances for Spurs since his debut 2011 having also spent spells out on loan at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City. He made his Premier League debut for the club last season, marking it with a goal in a 5-1 win over Sunderland.

The striker has since scored seven more goals for the club across three competitions but his introduction off the bench on Sunday could not inspire Spurs to salvage anything against Newcastle United in a 2-1 loss to Alan Pardew's side.

It was the club's third home defeat of the season and Pochettino believes the tight nature of the pitch at White Hart Lane has helped contribute to their dismal form in north London.

"Our style means we need a bigger space to play because we play a positional game," Pochettino said. "It's true that White Hart Lane is a little bit tight and it's better for the opponent when they play deep.

"On Sunday there were two shots from Newcastle – it was unlucky for us. And they play deep. West Bromwich play deep, Liverpool the same, they play very deep and it was difficult for us. We need time to adapt to our new set-up and to understand better our position on the pitch."