Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino hoping trip to Barnsley in Carabao Cup will relight Dele Alli's fire

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Mauricio Pochettino is set to start Dele Alli in the Carabao Cup match against Championship side Barnsley in the hope that extra game-time will reignite his talisman's spark.

Alli scored 22 goals in an outstanding campaign last season but has appeared a little rusty in the last couple of weeks and particularly in the 0-0 draw at home to Swansea on Saturday.

He also has to deal with a continuing investigation by FIFA into his middle finger salute during England's victory over Slovakia and is suspended from the opening three matches of Tottenham's Champions League campaign due to a red card in last season's Europa League. 

Mauricio Pochettino is set to start Dele Alli in the Carabao Cup match against Barnsley

The Tottenham boss hopes that the extra game-time will reignite his talisman's spark

There is also speculation surrounding a new contract at Tottenham and rumours that super-agents Mino Raiola and Jorge Mendes are attempting to sign Alli up.

Pochettino is set to rotate his squad and hand debuts to summer signings in striker Fernando Llorente and defender Juan Foyth, while Harry Winks and Georges-Kevin N'Koudou are set to return from injury. 

Pochettino also intends to hand a place in the squad to Tashan Oakley-Boothe. The 17-year-old midfielder featured several times on Spurs' pre-season tour and was also named on the bench at home to Burnley in August.

Alli, however, will keep his place and Pochettino insists his form will recover and that he must guide his young talent through any downturn in form: 'He needs freedom to be natural and to express himself. 

'The most important thing is to be there if he needs us and, sometimes, to try to help before he asks. Before he comes, we need to go. Then its up to the player, like always. But I think its only time. Time for him to find his balance because he is still 21. He is so young.

'He did very well last season and its not easy for a young player to keep this level and show this level in every game. It is about maturity. Its about finding your balance in training. Competing, in your life, everything. 

The 21-year-old shone last term but has appeared a little rusty at the beginning of this season

'The player is not only what we see on the pitch. He is not a number. He is not just furniture. There are a lot of things that affect them, that are around them and when you are young. It can be from zero to 100. You need to find your balance.' 

Pochettino also insists the club should be aiming for the biggest prizes in the Premier League and Champions League rather than settling for success in the domestic cup competitions.

For all Tottenham's vast progress under Pochettino, the club are still to lift a trophy since winning the competition with Juande Ramos as manager in 2008.

'The pressure is to win the Premier League or Champions League,' Pochettino said. 

'They are the two big trophies. I'd love to win a cup for our fans but Tottenham must build a project for the Premier League and Champions League. 

'If we forget those two, it's a big mistake. For a big team to win trophies, it means the Premier League or Champions League. Wigan won the FA Cup. Where is Wigan now? League 1. That is the most important example.'