Youth development underway at Tottenham as youngster heads to League Two side on loan

Tottenham have seen a number of youth players make their way into Ange Postecoglou's match-day squad this season, including Jamie Donley and Alfie Dorrington. Spurs U-21 player Matthew Craig has been in the spotlight amongst the youngsters as well since making the jump from the U-18s in recent years, and now looks ready to take his talents to the professional stage.

Spurs also have Troy Parrott away at Excelsior Rotterdam, Alfie Devine with Port Vale, and Josh Keeley at Barnet. Dane Scarlett, who spent the first half of the season with Ipswich Town, has since returned, as have Sergio Reguilon and Djed Spence.

Effective youth development can be extremely beneficial to any footballing organization. Not only can youth academies and loan spells serve as metaphoric machines for generating top talent, but they can just as effectively be utilized as streams of revenue.

Ange has yet to really give the young the players a shot this season with Donley and Dorrington featuring on the bench most matches, although at this stage in their development it's probably for the best. For Matthew Craig, however, the story could be different.

The Scottish international is finally getting a shot at the next level of football and, assuming he gets playing time and performs well at Rovers, a call up to action could be in the cards next season.

Squad depth - especially inexpensive yet reliable squad depth - is an excellent way for clubs to save funds for players that could make a larger difference at the club like the £60m Conor Gallagher or £100m Ivan Toney (according to their clubs' valuations).

Tottenham could be doing some serious spending over the summer transfer window and, even if minimally, successful youth development could aid that process.