Matt Doherty: Tottenham have handed right-back 'lifeline' after confirmed news - pundit
Paul Robinson has claimed Matt Doherty has been handed "a lifeline" at Tottenham after the club failed to sign a new right wing-back in January.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former White Hart Lane number one said the 30-year-old "could be the answer" on the right-hand side until the end of the season.
Spurs failed in their pursuit of a right wing-back in January.
Antonio Conte wanted to sign Adama Traore from Wolves and convert him into the specialist role.
However, Barcelona confirmed on 29 January that they had won the race to the Spain international's signature.
When asked by Football Insider's Dylan Childs for his thoughts on the position, Robinson said:
"It was no secret that Conte wanted a right wing-back. January is a difficult month to do business in though.
"Doherty now has an opportunity to re-ignite his career at Spurs. [Emerson] Royal doesn't strike me as an out-and-out wing-back. He is more of a full-back.
"Doherty has come back into the side of late and he has had a couple of promising games. There is potential there. He could be the answer at right wing-back.
"It looked like it was going to be Adama Traore but that fell through. Doherty now has to step up and stake a claim for that shirt.
"He made his name as a right wing-back. He played so well in that system at Wolves. That is why he became a wanted commodity. This is a lifeline for him."