Young defender has been on loan with Blades in the Championship this season

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are considering bringing Cameron Carter-Vickers back from his loan spell with Sheffield United.

The 19-year-old centre-back joined the Blades in August and was due to spend the whole season with the Championship club, who are lying sixth in the second tier.

But Pochettino has revealed there will soon be a discussion about whether to cut his loan spell short – although he says the conversation is unrelated to Toby Alderweireld’s hamstring injury, which is now expected to sideline him until February.

“It doesn’t change our view about the squad, or [mean] we will take some decisions differently, because he’s injured,” said Pochettino.

“[With Cameron] it’s a decision we need to talk about in the next few days. But I think if all is going well with Toby… I think at the beginning of February he will be ready again to play.

“It’s true that today with Davinson [Sanchez] suspended, maybe the squad looks a little bit like we need someone. But I think we have different players that can play there, and I am happy with the squad.

“We’ll see. The decision with Cameron is more about his development than if we need or don’t need some more centre-backs in the squad.

“The decision will be together with John [McDermott], Dean [Rastrick] and Steve [Hitchen] and of course the club, and trying to provide the player with the solution - but not because maybe we need to cover the position or not.”

Alderweireld’s contract situation remains up in the air during his absence.

The Belgian’s deal expires in 2019 but it is believed Tottenham have the option to extend it by a year – an option that would reportedly come with a £25million release clause attached, which could be triggered in 2019.

It remains unclear whether Alderweireld will sign a new contract, and Pochettino said: “Of course it’s his decision, it’s our decision. It’s still two and a half years on his contract.

“It’s like different players who have maybe medium to long-term contracts, and we are looking forward to playing with him and him staying here with us.

“I think the club is going to take a decision with every player, for the player to be happy and the players who want to play for us. The players show their commitment.

“I am so calm at how [chairman] Daniel Levy drives everything and manages all the contracts with the players. I am not worried or concerned about this.”

At the end of last week Pochettino stated he would like signings to be secured earlier in future, prompting suggestions in some quarters that he was airing frustrations with the way Levy conducted the club’s recruitment drive during the summer transfer window.

But Pochettino said: “My relationship [with him] has not changed. A few weeks ago, one month ago, when it was the book presentation, he was here.

“Nothing’s changed in this football club. My relationship with him is so good. We are doing our job, we are going to do our job. We are going to take our best decisions all together like always. Nothing’s changed.”

Having thumped Stoke City 5-1 at Wembley on Saturday, Spurs are now gearing up to host Brighton on Wednesday night, and Erik Lamela could make his first start since the goalless draw at Bournemouth on October 22 2016.

“I still haven’t decided,” said Pochettino. “I am going to decide today for tomorrow. But yes, he has a chance maybe to play from the start against Brighton tomorrow.”

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