Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has backed striker Vincent Janssen to kick on after scoring his first goal for the club.

The Dutchman broke his duck from the penalty spot as Spurs cruised past League One Gillingham 5-0 on Wednesday in the EFL Cup.

With Harry Kane expected to be out for around two months due to ankle ligament damage, Janssen is set to get a run in the side and will be desperate to impress.

The 22-year-old arrived at White Hart Lane in the summer for a fee of around £17m, having netted 27 goals in all competitions for AZ Alkmaar last term.

He will now be hoping to break his Premier League duck away at Middlesbrough on Saturday, a game Spurs are 2.05 to win, with the draw 3.40 and Boro 3.80.

The competitive nature of the English top flight means chances could be few and far between, especially against Aitor Karanka’s men, who have built their performances in recent years on a sturdy defence.

After seeing his summer singing break his goal duck on Wednesday, Pochettino said he was in no doubt that Janssen, who is 2.63 to score at anytime at the Riverside, can kick on and has backed the Netherlands international to help inspire the team in Kane’s absence.

“Now that Harry Kane’s injured, he is our main striker and it’s important for his confidence for the next few games,” he said. “I think that it was important for him, to feel the love from the supporters.

“The important thing is that he got into the box and he created a lot of chances. For the future, it’s important that he feels confidence and for the team, it will help a lot for us.”