Mauricio Pochettino would rather give chances to players in the junior teams at Tottenham than sign established stars from elsewhere.

In his first season at White Hart Lane, Pochettino has brought Ryan Mason into the first team and also given regular playing time to fellow youth products Harry Kane, Andros Townsend, Nabil Bentaleb and Danny Rose.

Pochettino adopted a similar position at Southampton, where he aided the development of players like Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and James Ward-Prowse. And while Spurs will always be on the lookout for high-profile signings, their coach would sooner work with what he has.

“Always, always,” said Pochettino, when asked if this was his preference. “This is my philosophy, my idea. If we have in the talent in the academy, we need to give the opportunity. Why find players outside the club?

“We won’t give opportunities to those we don’t believe have the potential to play in the first team, but if they do, I prefer to give them the chance. For me, there are many players here who have that potential. We just need time and patience.”

Pochettino gave a debut to 17-year-old midfielder Josh Onomah during the recent FA Cup third-round replay against Burnley, and has also given Harry Winks, 18, a taste of the first team.

Tottenham v Burnley - player ratings 6 show all Tottenham v Burnley - player ratings 1/6 Michel Vorm: 6 Hugo Lloris’ replacement had very little to do all night and could not be blamed for Burnley’s equaliser, when substitute Sam Vokes produced a very tidy finish. GETTY 2/6 Vlad Chiriches: 6 A characteristically eccentric display from the Romanian, deputising for Kyle Walker at right-back. Handled George Boyd relatively comfortably but some of his decision-making is hard to fathom. GETTY 3/6 Ben Davies: 8 Spurs’ best player on the night, the Welshman is growing in confidence at the club and seems to be relishing the battle with Danny Rose to be first choice left-back. Efficient in both attack and defence and set up Spurs’ goal. GETTY 4/6 Mousa Dembele: 7 Starting to look a little more like the player Spurs paid £15million to sign from Fulham in 2012. Looked more mobile than in recent times and used the ball well when he had it. GETTY 5/6 Nacer Chadli: 7 Operating on either flank, he always gave Spurs an attacking outlet and underlined his enduring effectiveness by putting his team in front with a typically solid finish – his ninth goal of the season. GETTY 6/6 Christian Eriksen: 6 Although he was far less creative than in recent weeks, the Dane showed excellent appetite with a hard-working display as he was used in three different roles in the 90 minutes. GETTY 1/6 Michel Vorm: 6 Hugo Lloris’ replacement had very little to do all night and could not be blamed for Burnley’s equaliser, when substitute Sam Vokes produced a very tidy finish. GETTY 2/6 Vlad Chiriches: 6 A characteristically eccentric display from the Romanian, deputising for Kyle Walker at right-back. Handled George Boyd relatively comfortably but some of his decision-making is hard to fathom. GETTY 3/6 Ben Davies: 8 Spurs’ best player on the night, the Welshman is growing in confidence at the club and seems to be relishing the battle with Danny Rose to be first choice left-back. Efficient in both attack and defence and set up Spurs’ goal. GETTY 4/6 Mousa Dembele: 7 Starting to look a little more like the player Spurs paid £15million to sign from Fulham in 2012. Looked more mobile than in recent times and used the ball well when he had it. GETTY 5/6 Nacer Chadli: 7 Operating on either flank, he always gave Spurs an attacking outlet and underlined his enduring effectiveness by putting his team in front with a typically solid finish – his ninth goal of the season. GETTY 6/6 Christian Eriksen: 6 Although he was far less creative than in recent weeks, the Dane showed excellent appetite with a hard-working display as he was used in three different roles in the 90 minutes. GETTY

Neither is expected to be involved in tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Leicester tomorrow/on Friday but it is clear they have been earmarked for the future.

“We need to be very careful with young talent,” Pochettino added. “Onomah is only 17, but in the last two or three months he has been training with the first team every day. He needs time.”

Spurs’ seventh game in January could see the return of record signing Erik Lamela. The Argentine attacker has been absent for nearly a month with a calf injury but resumed training this week and is likely to be involved.