Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino delighted by Dele Alli England call-up

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has no problem with Dele Alli being given his maiden senior England call-up despite previously questioning the managing of young players by the national team. Alli has been included in the 24-man squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania after making just three Premier League starts for the north London club since joining from Milton Keynes Dons.

The 19 year old agreed to move to White Hart Lane during the last January transfer window, before moving back to Dons on loan for the remainder of the previous season prior to arriving on a permanent basis in the summer. Alli has wasted little time making an impression, making nine appearances in all, which has included his maiden top-flight goal.

Amid a run of form for Harry Kane which has seen the Tottenham striker score just once for his club this season, Pochettino has heeded caution over the expectations about young players and expressed concern with the physical demands imposed on them, claiming England must "be careful with the younger players". The Argentine boss has however backtracked on those comments and is delighted that Alli has been recognised.

"This is good news for us today and for him and we are all happy," he said after the 1-1 Europa League draw with Monaco," according to Sky Sports. "It is good for him and for Tottenham after. It is done and the decision is always for the manager. Roy Hodgson called me, sent a text and said he will look after him. It's not a problem and in the end every single player is different.

"He has a very good character, is very mature and how he plays is how he is. The only thing is we need to work with the national team. We are here to help, we love the England players and have the possibility to go to the national team.

"The most important thing is we [Tottenham] have a very good relationship with Roy and we need to look after the player all together to look after him and his career. It is not about the number of games and if he is 19, 18 or 20 years old. It is about performance and believing in the players.

"It is a decision for him and we need to respect and back the decision and then the supporters can enjoy with him. It's not many games he has played for us but the supporters will enjoy a lot the way that he plays."