Tottenham Hotspur news: Kieran Trippier enjoying battle for first team role with 'mate' Kyle Walker

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Kieran Trippier admits he could have moved elsewhere during the summer transfer window to guarantee himself regular first team football but found the opportunity at White Hart Lane too good to turn down. The 25-year-old moved from Burnley in the mercato but has failed to feature in any of the club's nine Premier League games so far this term.

Trippier's opportunities have been restricted to the Capital One Cup and the Europa League, where he expected to feature again for Spurs in the trip to Anderlecht on Thursday (22 October) having started their two previous group matches against Qarabag and AS Monaco. The former England youth international played every minute of Burnley's Premier League campaign last term but is under no illusions as to the challenge he faces breaking into Mauricio Pochettino's side, with Kyle Walker installed as first choice at right-back.

"I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League and making sure that when I get my chance, I take it," Trippier said, according to The Guardian. "As soon as Tottenham came in for me, I wanted to sign. Maybe I could have gone somewhere else with less competition but me and Kyle are good mates, and we are both trying our best to get that position.

"We played for the England Under-19s at the Euros in Ukraine in 2009, so there is no bitterness between us. When he plays, I am in the dressing room encouraging him and wishing him well. We have a laugh together in training. There is no animosity or jealousy between us. We are both mates."

Trippier's career began at Manchester City where he captained the reserve side, which included Daniel Sturridge, to victory in the 2008 FA Youth Cup, beating Chelsea in the final over two legs. Failure to break into the first team, which led to loan spells at Barnsley and Bury, saw him eventually move to Burnley where he found his feet as a professional.

"It was never going to happen for me at City," the Tottenham defender said. "The money they were spending on bringing in new players meant it came to a point when I just wanted to get out on loan to play some games.

"I went to Burnley and I just felt comfortable playing for them, week in, week out. Eddie Howe, who was the manager at the time, spoke to me and said he wanted to sign me. I had just signed a four-year deal at City but I said to him: 'Yeah, just try and get me out.' When I went to Burnley, I said I wanted to get promoted to the Premier League and we did that. Now, I am back here with Tottenham.

"Roberto Mancini was the City manager at the time. I went on tour with them and I got a new contract but when I went to Burnley and Eddie Howe wanted to sign me, I didn't have to think twice."