Pochettino hopes cup tie will kick-start Alli's season

Alli is set to start in the Carabao Cup match against Championship side Barnsley and Pochettino hopes that his talisman will find some good form due to the extra game-time.

In an outstanding campaign last season, Alli scored 22 goals in all competitions but has appeared a little rusts in the first few weeks of this season, particularly in Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Swansea.

The 21-year-old has also had to deal with an ongoing investigation by FIFA into his middle finger gesture during England's victory over Slovakia and is suspended from the opening three games of Tottenham's Champions League campaign because of a red card in last season's Europa League.

Pochettino is likely to rotate his squad and hand debuts to summer signings Fernando Llorente and Juan Foyth, while Georges-Kevin N'Koudou and Harry Winks are set to make their returns from injury.

However, Alli will keep his place and Pochettino insists that his form will improve and he must guide his young talent through any rough patch: "He needs freedom to be natural and to express himself.

"The most important thing is to be there if he needs us and, sometimes, to try to help before he asks. Before he comes, we need to go. Then it's up to the player, like always. But I think it's only time. Time for him to find his balance because he is still 21. He is so young.

"He did very well last season and it's not easy for a young player to keep this level and show this level in every game. It is about maturity. It's about finding your balance in training. Competing, in your life, everything.

"The player is not only what we see on the pitch. He is not a number. He is not just furniture. There are a lot of things that affect them, that are around them and when you are young. It can be from zero to 100. You need to find your balance."