Alex Pritchard is confident he can fight for a first-team place at Tottenham next season after impressing head coach Mauricio Pochettino in recent matches.

The midfielder has had an excellent season on loan at Brentford and Pochettino was in the stands to see Pritchard, 21, perform well in the Bees’ 4-1 win at Fulham last Friday.

Standard Sport understands Pritchard has received positive feedback from Pochettino and is convinced he will be given the chance to follow in the footsteps of fellow Spurs academy products Ryan Mason, Harry Kane and Andros Townsend at White Hart Lane next season.

Pritchard can operate in every position of the ‘3’ in a 4-2-3-1 system and has been one of the best performers outside the top flight this term.

Although Pochettino is thought to have some questions about Pritchard’s ability to play a high-pressing game, the Argentine is happy he could deliver the necessary instructions during pre-season. If Pritchard adapts, there is every chance he will be part of Pochettino’s plans when the new Premier League campaign begins.

Pochettino is keen to revamp his squad during the summer and the club will listen to offers midfielders Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Mousa Dembele. That would give Pritchard a chance to make his mark.

Pritchard’s form in the Championship has placed him on the radar of other top-flight clubs. Both Leicester and Queens Park Rangers were thought to have expressed an interest in January but Spurs were unwilling to sell in mid-season. Pritchard is small but has solid technique and is willing to receive the ball in tight areas.

He came to the attention of Brentford boss Mark Warburton during the NextGen Series, which Warburton helped to organise. The European competition for clubs Under-19 sides, which ran from 2011-13, was based loosely on the Champions League and Pritchard competed in it for Tottenham.

Warburton’s friendship with John McDermott, the academy manager and head of coaching at White Hart Lane, paved the way for Pritchard to move to Brentford on loan. The transfer has been highly successful for both parties, with Brentford seventh in the Championship and aiming for back-to-back promotions. They are just one point adrift of a play-off spot with five games remaining.

Pritchard’s form has also brought him international recognition. He has six caps for the Under-21s and, after coming on as a second-half substitute in England’s recent 3-2 friendly win over their counterparts from Germany, he is hopeful of earning a place in the squad for the European Under-21 Championships in June.