Tottenham Hotspur head coach Tim Sherwood has insisted that the North London outfit want to keep hold of Erik Lamela.

The winger has been linked with a January move away from Spurs having started just three Premier League games since his £25.7m switch from Roma in the summer.

However, Sherwood has claimed that the 21-year-old will come into the team when the coaches feel that he is "ready to perform".

"He has a big future here, absolutely," BBC Sport quotes Sherwood as saying. "We know what a talented player Erik is.

"We also understand that players need time to settle. We are going to take it nice and steady with him. I really want to put him on the stage when he's ready to perform."

Lamela is said to be desperate for more first-team action as he tries to secure a World Cup place this summer with Argentina.