Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur could look to recall Josh Onomah in January if transfer business doesn’t go to plan.

Onomah, only 20, has scored three times in 21 appearances for Aston Villa this season having agreed a loan move back in the summer.

It’s been an agreement that, until now, has largely been a successful one; it’s benefitted all three parties in terms of development.

Onomah, also catching the eye for the England U21s this season, has scored in the draw at Bristol City and in wins over Burton and Sunderland.

He wasn’t quite as effective in the recent draw at Leeds.

After Spurs wiped the floor with Stoke City at Wembley on Saturday, Pochettino was asked about the potential of recalling Onomah, and fellow loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers who is currently at Sheffield United.

“We have the possibility to bring them back,” the Argentine confirmed.

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Onomah is currently one of three loan players at Villa Park, alongside fellow Premier League pair Robert Snodgrass and Sam Johnstone.

Speaking of Johnstone...

Steve Bruce has reiterated his desire to keep Sam Johnstone at Aston Villa beyond the expiry of his loan deal.

Manchester United stopper Johnstone has been at Villa Park for almost a year, across two separate loan spells, and will continue to be an important cog in the claret and blue charge for promotion between now and May.

Johnstone, 24, has had loans previously with Preston and Walsall among others, but it is at Villa where he has particularly caught the eye.

In his 43 matches in a Villa shirt to date, Johnstone has kept 17 clean sheets and played his part in ensuring Villa earned a point in their draw over the weekend with a Millwall side who came to attack.

Bruce, formerly of Manchester United as a player, has discussed Johnstone’s situation with Jose Mourinho, who already has world class talent at his disposal at Old Trafford in the form of David De Gea and Sergio Romero.

And after the Lions stalemate on Saturday, the manager re-emphasised that he’d like to sign Johnstone on a permanent deal, if possible.

Johnstone is in the final year of his contract with the Red Devils, but they are expected to trigger a one-year extension in his contract in order to make sure they don’t lose him for nothing.

“I just thought he was competent in everything he did,” Bruce said after the match against Neil Harris’ outfit.

“I don’t think there was any world class save or any big save. I thought the saves he made I would expect Sam to make.

“I think you know the way I feel about Sam. He’s come on leaps and bounds since he’s been here.

“He’s a very, very good young goalkeeper and we’ll do our best to keep him.”