By Harry Sykes
Tottenham fans have urged Mauricio Pochettino to hand Georges-Kevin N’Koudou a rare start in one of their two cup clashes this week.
Spurs travel to Belgium on Thursday for the first leg of their last-32 Europa League tie, with the second leg scheduled to take place at White Hart Lane seven days later.
Sandwiched between the two cup matches is an FA Cup fifth round fixture against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Tottenham supporters believe the cup matches offer the perfect opportunity to give winger N’Koudou some much-needed game time.
The 22-year-old, who joined from Marseille for £11million last summer, has made just two starts, and only 12 appearances in total since his arrival at White Hart Lane.
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The frozen-out youngster is yet to start a Premier League match as he struggles to force his way on to the pitch, and fans believe that should now change and he is brought in from the cold this week.
Here is a selection of their messages on Twitter:
Hope we play N’koudou Winks Sissoko Wimmer CCV and Edwards Thursday. Give kids a chance. Who cares if we get knocked out
— Hotspur Banter (@Hotspur_Banter) February 13, 2017
@SpursOfficial play NKoudou instead of Sissoko and Tripper instead of Davies
— HereForTomorrow (@Twelve30Fo93) February 12, 2017
I’d like to see more of NKoudou, he’s got potential to destroy defences. Poch style is to give them a season to settle in. Next season ?? https://t.co/TB4Oso67fg
— Vij (@vij4thelane) February 12, 2017
FA Cup. Field this
Vorm. Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Wimmer. Dembele, Onomah. Nkoudou, Eriksen, Son. Janssen— Wesh (@waweru_jb) February 14, 2017
Why do we even have N’koudou. He needs an opportunity. This could be his moment!! #COYS
— Harri Dunn (@DunnHarri) February 11, 2017
I’m not anti Sissoko, far from it, but what does N’Koudou have to do to get match time ? #thfc #coys
— Ledley is my Hero (@spursNutN17) February 11, 2017
Former France Under-21 international N’Koudou has had just 283 minutes of senior action for Tottenham this season.
He has figured just twice since early December, a 20-minute run-out against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and a 45-minute appearance against Wycombe in the FA Cup.
The Europa League and FA Cup matches would appear perfect opportunities for the wide man, who was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool.
In other Tottenham news, a £38.5million ace has held talks with Spurs and held a meeting with Pochettino at the club’s training headquarters.
