The real reason Tottenham recalled Dane Scarlett from Oxford loan amid new striker transfer talk
Tottenham have recalled Dane Scarlett from his loan with Championship side Oxford United in a move that will raise plenty of eyebrows within the Spurs fanbase.
Spurs are in desperate need of a new forward in the January transfer window, with Dominic Solanke having been the only fit, recognised striker available to Ange Postecoglou for much of the campaign to date.
Richarlison has just returned to action and scored against his old club Everton when coming off the bench on Sunday. His return coincided with Solanke picking up an injury, however.
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Postecoglou has regularly called on the Spurs board to bring in new signings in this window, particularly up front to "help" Solanke. Speaking after the game, the head coach said: "These players need help and hopefully over the next 10 days or so we'll find a solution. It is really tricky, we're not the only ones in the market. The club are trying hard."
Scarlett being recalled from a season-long loan early in January will lead supporters to think that the youngster will be thrown into action for Spurs, given the injury concerns, and could therefore be used as a replacement instead of making a new signing.
However, that is not the case. football.london understands that Scarlett's recall is purely down to game time and that the 20-year-old is likely to be sent out on loan elsewhere this month, rather than staying at Tottenham.
Scarlett has scored four goals in the Championship this season but his not hit the back of the net since November. He has only managed 117 minutes of action in the last seven matches, sitting on the bench as an unused substitute in three of those.
Another Championship loan could be on the cards, or Scarlett could look for an opportunity abroad.