Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says Ryan Sessegnon can emulate former England left-back Ashley Cole but says the teenager is not yet ready to play at the back, despite an injury to Ben Davies.

The Wales international will be sidelined for an "extended period" and may need surgery after suffering ankle ligament damage in the 3-2 win at West Ham in Mourinho's first game as Spurs boss.

Danny Rose came in for the midweek win over Olympiacos and the England international or Jan Vertonghen are competing for the left-back spot ahead of the visit of Bournemouth on Saturday .

Mourinho also revealed he had been impressed with academy left-back Denis Cirkin, 17, who shone in the Uefa Youth League clash with the Greeks on Tuesday.

Asked if he viewed Sessegnon, 19, as an attacking player, Mourinho told a press conference: "In this moment, yes. I think Ryan is absolutely fantastic, I have known him since a kid in Fulham. When he comes to the first team in the Premier League. it is different to the Championship.

"I think in this moment he is a winger on the left, can also play on the right, can learn progressively and even developing physically, which he is doing. Even last time I saw him and the first time I met him when I came here he is already different physically.

"I think Ryan can play as a left-back. probably the best left-back in the last decade was Ashley Cole, in spite of him being from two enemy clubs, but he was fantastic. But Ryan has lots of similarities with Ashley [who Mourinho managed at Chelsea], and he can learn how to defend. In the future, I think he can be [a left-back] but in this moment he is not ready to play as a left-back."

"That’s a blow," Mourinho added of Davies' injury. "Especially for a boy that was feeling my trust to be chosen to start my first game is always something that the players obviously enjoy. He was playing well, he adapted to our way of playing, would be good to have him as an option but it’s not possible so sad news for us, sad news for him.

"But he will be back and we will survive without him. I trust the other people that can play in the same position, like Danny did in the last match. And we still have other players that can do it. On top of that, I couldn't be at but I watched on video our youth team playing in the Champions League, and we also have [Cirkin]. OK, he’s 17 but he’s a kid with a lot of quality, and I look forward to bringing him to train with us, and to help his development.

Tottenham squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 27 show all Tottenham squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 1/27 We run you through Tottenham's squad for the 2019-20 season... Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 2/27 Hugo Lloris Squad Number: 1



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Contract expires: 30/06/2021 REUTERS 27/27 Japhet Tanganga Squad Number: 39



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Contract expires: 30/06/2021 Getty Images/Tottenham Hotspur FC

"We have options - Danny Rose is the natural left-back, Jan Vertonghen can do it, he did it already for the club and for the national team. In extra emergency, I think even Aurier could give us a hand playing there, and we have options at right back. So the squad [can deal] with one or two injuries, so we are fine."

On the opposite flank, Serge Aurier has immediately impressed under the Portuguese, bagging two assists and a goal in two appearances.

Mourinho has largely freed the inconsistent Ivorian of defensive duties, and the manager said: "Serge has to be very offensive, that is his nature as a player, that is the best qualities he has so he must have the freedom I am giving him to go forward because he can hurt opponents, he can break the balance of defensive teams and I think he has conditions to evolve."

Aurier was key in the build-up to Harry Kane's crucial equaliser on Tuesday night, taking a throw-in for Lucas Moura, who crossed for the striker, after some quick thinking from a ball-boy.

Fifteen-year-old Callum Hynes earned a hug from Mourinho for his part in the goal and manager said of the teenager: "He comes for lunch, for a pre-match meal with the boys. Happy days for the kid and hopefully we gave him amazing memories for the rest of his life, so beautiful for him."

Mourinho could hand a first start to Tanguy Ndombele against Eddie Howe's Cherries, while fellow summer signing Giovani Lo Celso is pushing for his first minutes under the new manager.

"I know them very, very well," Mourinho said. "It is not like I don't know them, I know the qualities I have, I know why the club bought them, I know what the club saw in them. I think good buys. I think good decisions and of course they will play with me. I always think that people who come from abroad, from different leagues need more time to adapt to the Premier League, but great potential and I am more than happy to have them."