YOUNG DUO GIVES REDKNAPP FOOD FOR THOUGHT

It must have been presumed when both Kyle’s, Walker and Naughton, were shipped out of Tottenham on loan to the championship that at least one of them wouldn’t make it back. That probably both would follow in the footsteps of fellow young right back Chris Gunter, who was never able to shine at White Hart Lane. But both have been firs team regulars at their loan clubs, QPR and Leicester respectively, and have been integral parts of those teams. Their form suggesting there may be some sort of future for either of them at Tottenham.

Kyle Naughton at Leicester has been a defensive revelation for Sven Goran Eriksson’s team, aiding the team as it climbs the table away from relegation. Leicester City fans are clearly pleased with his addition to the team. It’s a testament to the player how well he has been received considering the rather leaky defence he is a part of. But he has added a capable attacking threat to Leicester right hand side as well as defensive shrewdness. His form has led to Sven preparing a £1.5million offer to make his stay at the midlands club permanent. This may push Naughton’s position to the front of Harry Redknapp’s mind as his from for the Foxes has suggested he should not be disregarded so easily. Certainly his passing ability, attacking impetus and pace suggest he would be able to hold his own in the Premier League.

Kyle Walker, who was bought in with Naughton from Sheffield United at the same time in summer 2009, has been on loan at Championship leaders QPR since September. Originally the loan agreement was only for a month but after impressing in west London manager Neil Warnock decided to extend it to January. Called in by Warnock to cover for the injured Bradley Orr, it is a sign of how well he has done that despite Orr returning to full fitness Warnock is again keen to extend Walker’s loan deal beyond its current date of 3rd January, this time to the end of the current season. His experience in the championship has been very different from Naughton’s fitting in to a tight defence that doesn’t concede many and is chasing promotion at the top of the table. With the return of Orr Walker has been asked to test his versatility by switching to left back, although it was not overly successful as Rangers went 2-0 down to promotion rivals Leeds.

This versatility could hold Walker in good stead at Tottenham though, as there is a high number of right backs. In contrast, Benoit Assou-Ekotto is the only specialist left back at the club. Certainly having Hutton, Corluka the option of putting Kaboul at right back along with the two Kyle’s would be too much to have within the squad. And if Walker was given time to see if he could develop as a capable left back in the championship, perhaps he could return to Spurs next season to push Ekotto for a first team place. As of the two of them Naughton seems the more likely to succeed as a right back as Spurs with his natural attacking instincts causing havoc in the championship. Either way it’s a great dilemma for Harry Redknapp to have and could well spell the end of Corluka’s time in north London if they were both to return in January.

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