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After Kane, Mason and Townsend, Mark Warburton is convinced Alex Pritchard will become the next Spurs youngster to make it big in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old midfielder produced further evidence of the progress he is making on loan as Brentford kept their promotion bid on track.

With Mauricio Pochettino ready to fast-track more home-grown talent into his Tottenham team next season, Warburton believes Pritchard is “nailed on” to make the step up if he continues to work hard.

“He can dominate a football,” said the Bees boss . “Alex is at his best with the ball at his feet.

“He sees a pass. He’s the best player I’ve seen in this division, certainly, to receive the ball on the half-turn at pace.

“Left or right side, he has the ability to take it on the half-turn and for us, how we play, that hurts the opposition.

“Technically he’s outstanding. For me, Pritch is nailed on Premier League.

“I’d never be disrespectful enough to speak about what Spurs should do or could do with him.

“But in my opinion – and I’m a Spurs fan, by the way – I think he is more than good enough to go and positively impact their playing squad.”

(Image: Getty)

Pritchard has eight goals in 36 appearances for a Brentford team whose inspired form – three wins from four ahead of this trip to Ipswich – make a nonsense of the club’s decision to replace Warburton as manager in May.

Brentford remain in the play-off positions and one place and one point above Ipswich. The Tractor Boys will need more shooting practice if they are to stay in contention in the promotion scrap.

When Daryl Murphy opened the scoring in the ninth minute it looked as if the home side were going to run away with the game.

Even after Jonathan Douglas had headed a 25th-minute leveller, Murphy – the ­Championship’s top scorer – had a gilt-edged opportunity to take all three points.

That came early in the second half when he got on the end of Jonny Parr’s cross but somehow put the ball over the bar from just three yards out.

(Image: Harry Engels)

Mick McCarthy has done a sensational job on a shoestring at Portman Road. His players worked hard to create a string of opportunities.

But with so many clubs ­dropping points on Saturday, this was a huge chance missed to gain ground on the leaders.

“It is going to go to the last game, the last minute,” said Ipswich boss McCarthy.

“If we keep playing like that, we will win more than we lose and we will probably be in the top six.”

Not if they show the lack of composure in front of goal that they did here.

The Suffolk side have now won just one of their last five and go to Middlesbrough – six victories in their past seven home fixtures – on Saturday.