Mauricio Pochettino: 'Dele Alli will not change nature'

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that Dele Alli will not change his character after being hit with a three-game ban this week.

England international Alli will miss the rest of Spurs' season after he was caught on video aiming a punch towards Claudio Yacob's midriff in Monday night's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Pochettino admitted today that the PFA Young Player of the Year "made a mistake" but does not feel that he needs to change his nature.

"He has a very strong character and personality and for that he is one of the best players in England," Pochettino told reporters. "We cannot change him but he made a mistake, everyone can make mistakes.

"It is true when you make a mistake you need to pay and he knows he made a mistake. It is his first season in the Premier League. He is a talented player but he knows.

"It was an action that nobody feels proud of but it is only a mistake, one mistake, a small mistake. He has paid for that and should learn from that."

Pochettino also announced today that he has agreed a two-year contract extension with Spurs to keep him in North London for five more years.