Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte ‘needs to see’ more from Matt Doherty and Djed Spence in training, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Both defenders have found themselves behind Emerson Royal in the pecking order in the opening weeks of the campaign and may need to improve to force their way into Conte’s starting XI.

What is the latest news involving Spurs?

It’s been an impressive start to the season for Tottenham, who are unbeaten in their six Premier League games to date and have seen off Marseille 2-0 in the Champions League.

And Royal has featured from the off in his right wing-back role in all of Spurs’ encounters so far, keeping Doherty and Spence firmly on the sidelines.

Doherty, who arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £15 million deal back in 2020, showcased his best form in a Tottenham shirt under Conte at the start of this calendar year.

The Republic of Ireland international registered two goals and four assists in 11 Premier League games in the second-half of last season before an injury curtailed his campaign.

Meanwhile, Spence was brought in from Middlesbrough for £20m over the summer, yet he has been forced to watch on from the bench for the vast majority of 2022/23.

What has Brown said about Doherty and Spence?

Spurs made eight signings over the summer as Conte was allowed to mould the first-team squad at Hotspur Way in his image.

Yet the Italian tactician has largely kept faith with the starting XI he selected in the final weeks of last season, and Brown believes Doherty and Spence need to do ‘a little bit more’ on the training ground to change that.

He told GiveMeSport: “Conte knows what he's doing, and I think he needs to see in training from those two guys a little bit more than he is before he starts putting them back in on a regular basis.”

How well is Emerson Royal playing?

Royal has registered one assist in his seven appearances across all competitions this season, and his underlying numbers are even more impressive.

As per WhoScored, the Brazil international has averaged 2.8 tackles, 2.7 clearances and 0.7 crosses per league game, placing him in the top four for each metric when compared to his teammates.

The South American is not without his critics, though, and if Doherty and Spence manage to catch Conte’s eye in training, they could be granted an opportunity to shine.

A congested fixture schedule should also see Conte rotate his players over the coming weeks and months, and Doherty and Spence will need to grasp their chance in the side when they eventually come along.