Is Sherwood sending a message? A day after teen sensation Bentaleb's debut, Capoue and Holtby turn out for the reserves

A day after Nabil Bentaleb came on and impressed for Spurs in their win against Southampton, two of their more high-profile midfielders were turning out for the reserves.

Interim boss Tim Sherwood was obviously sending a message to Etienne Capoue, an £8.6million summer signing, and German international Lewis Holtby, who were both unused substitutes on Sunday, while 19-year-old Bentaleb came on for his debut.

The pair didn't fare much better in their Under 21 tie - when they were substituted at half-time Tottenham were 2-1 down to Brighton, though the final score was 2-2.

With the stiffs: Lewis Holtby (above) and Etienne Capoue (below) played 45 minutes for the Spurs U21s

Overlooked: The Spurs pair were unused substitutes at St Mary's on Sunday

Bentaleb was hugely impressive when he entered the fray at St Mary's after 50 minutes, the French teenager looked composed and measured on the ball, while Spurs looked much more in control after his introduction.

Capoue has made just 11 appearances in an injury-hit first season at Spurs, he impressed in his first few matches before suffering an ankle injury that kept him out for nearly two months.

Holtby was in and out of the team under previous manager Andre Villas-Boas but Sherwood perhaps doesn't fancy him, as he was a 78th minute substitute in the defeat to West Ham.

Debut: Nabil Bentaleb came on instead of the two midfielders and was excellent in the win against Southampton