Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose in contention to face Leicester City, says Mauricio Pochettino

Rose has been the subject of intense speculation over the last fortnight after Pochettino omitted him from the squad that lost to Arsenal, though he did start Spurs' 2-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund before being left out of the draw with West Bromwich Albion on the weekend.

Links with a move to United have predictably surfaced in recent days, but Tottenham boss Pochettino insists his decisions to remove Rose from match-day squads are purely fitness-related and not the result of a breakdown in the relationship between the pair.

Asked if Rose has a chance of playing against Leicester, Pochettino said in his press conference, per Football.London: "Yes he will be in the squad. Like another time, he understands perfectly that we are caring for him. I think he played in Dortmund and now he needs to build up. He's getting better and better every week.

"Always it's my decision, not only with Danny but with everyone, it's about caring for them first of all, to try to perform after in the level that we want and to benefit them. It's okay, because he was training during the week and now he's available for tomorrow again."

Rose has developed into one of the best full-backs in the Premier League under Pochettino, but his comments before the start of the season seemed to suggest that he is open to leaving Tottenham. United are looking for a long-term solution to their left-back position, with Luke Shaw set to leave Old Trafford either in January or at the end of the season.

Rose revealed his willingness to move up north a few months ago but Pochettino insisted the former Sunderland loanee is part of his long-term thinking in north London, though he did admit that he does not know what the future holds for the 27-year-old, who was admired by United's arch-rivals Manchester City in the summer.

"Yes, like all the players who have contracts with us," the Tottenham boss said. "Today they are all involved in the team and the project. Like I told you one week ago I think you cannot guess what is going to happen in the future."