Harry Kane used the Europa League as a springboard to success for club and country and tonight’s match against Qarabag is a chance for some of his team-mates to emulate him.

At the start of last season, Kane was Tottenham’s third-choice centre-forward, behind Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado. He was used in the Cup competitions because Mauricio Pochettino wanted to save his main men for the Premier League.

Yet through his performances in Europe, Kane made an unimpeachable case for League selection. He scored in both play-off games against Limassol and struck again in the 1-1 draw against Besiktas before claiming a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Asteras Tripolis.

Another goal against Asteras, and the winner from the bench at Aston Villa, persuaded Pochettino to start Kane for a League game against Stoke. Although that match ended in defeat, Kane was on target as Spurs won at Hull a week later. He never looked back and finished with 31 goals in all competitions and a place in the senior England squad.

As a player, it must be easy to see the early rounds of the Europa League as the football equivalent of the graveyard shift. In the past, it has meant unglamorous ties in front of reduced crowds, with team selection reflecting the relative importance of the competition. Yet Kane’s work last season should act as an inspiration to his colleagues.

Kieran Trippier has had little competitive action since moving from Burnley in the summer. Likewise Kevin Wimmer, who is behind Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in the competition for central defensive places.

If both men shine regularly, they can convince Pochettino they should play in the league, especially with Alderweireld in shaky form and Kyle Walker — the first-choice right-back — still fighting for the consistency he showed in the 2011-12 campaign. Further forward, Tom Carroll should be handed an opportunity at some stage of the group phase — more than four years after the midfielder made his senior debut for Tottenham, in a Europa League play-off against Hearts.

TOTTENHAM vs QARABAG Tonight, 8.05pm, BT Sport Europe PROBABLE TEAM

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Trippier, Wimmer, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Carroll; Townsend, Son, Lamela; Kane OTHER GROUP J MATCHES

Anderlecht v Monaco 8.05pm, BT Sport Showcase (free)

Alex Pritchard was outstanding on loan at Brentford in the Championship last season but has made only two appearances for his parent club. If he performs well in Europe, it should give Pochettino some clues. Similarly, Heung-min Son and Clinton N’Jie, who cost £30million between them, might prefer the more patient rhythms of European football as they grow accustomed to life at Spurs.

So even though this meeting with the Azerbaijan club might not catch the eye like next week’s derby against Arsenal, it will give Pochettino a useful idea of the players who might be able to help him later in the campaign. Last winter, Tottenham were in contention on four fronts. It proved too much and at the end of the season, Pochettino admitted he might take a more conservative approach to European football this term. Spurs’ Europa League form has declined in recent seasons. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2013 and the last 16 a year later. Most recently, they were eliminated by Fiorentina in the first knockout round.

Captain Hugo Lloris has demanded more from the team and Pochettino concurs. He said: “We are ambitious. We expect more from ourselves. Will the Europa League have a negative impact on our domestic form? I don’t think so.”

If Kane’s story of last season can be emulated by a team-mate, it would make everything seem brighter.