Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino hails 'perfect midfielder' Harry Winks ahead of Huddersfield clash

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Mauricio Pochettino has hailed Harry Winks as the 'perfect midfielder' capable of helping Tottenham break down the league's most stubborn defences.

On Saturday, Spurs go up against Huddersfield, who boast the second best defensive record in the division so far, with their three goals conceded worse only than the two let in by Manchester City and Manchester United.

They might have a job stopping Harry Kane, who scored his first Champions League hat-trick against Apoel Nicosia on Tuesday, while also impressive in Cyprus was the 21-year-old Winks.

Harry Winks has come in for special praise for his Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino has hailed Winks as the 'perfect midfielder' ahead of the Huddersfield game

Winks was making only his second start of the season after recently recovering from an ankle injury but he was sharp, dynamic and creative in possession.

He may even have felt himself unfortunate not to be included Gareth Southgate's England squad announced on Thursday, which was notable for its paucity of quality central midfielders.

'For me, he is the perfect midfielder, who can play box-to-box and like a holding midfielder,' Pochetitno said.

'He has the quality and capacity to play and use the demand of the game and read it. He's so clever, and we are so happy that he starts to feel better now because he provides to the team qualities that we don't have.

Pochettino may well believe that Winks would have been deserving of a call-up for England

The Argentine manager has opted to use the youngster (right) sparingly so far this season

'He is completely different to our other midfielders like Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele and Mousa Sissoko. He has qualities to add to the team that are completely different.'

Dembele and Wanyama are both out, nursing ankle and knee injuries respectively, meaning Winks could prove key in the coming weeks.

He may be rested this weekend as Pochettino eases the youngster back to full fitness but would be a useful option off the bench, should Spurs need some attacking inspiration.

'Can he help us unlock defences? Yes, he is one of the options we have in different games to use,' Pochettino said.

'We celebrate that because to have the possibility to have him on the team provides us with more quality and more options to play in a different way.'

Winks will benefit with a run in the side given injuries to Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama

Dele Alli has been banned for the match against Slovenia for his middle finger gesture 

Dele Alli will return against Huddersfield after missing the Apoel win through suspension and the midfielder is still waiting to hear whether he will face a separate ban from FIFA.

A disciplinary panel has met to discuss the offensive gesture made by Alli during England's victory over Slovakia earlier this month and the 21-year-old could even miss the start of next summer's World Cup.

'I hope that nothing happens but if it happens I think he's mature enough to deal with that situation,' Pochettino said.

'He's more mature today. I think you can feel the same that he's more mature, he's not the kid who arrived here three years ago. A lot of things happened in that period.'