Tottenham Hotspur insider John Wenham has said that he believes defender Joe Rodon does now have a future at the club after a ‘telling’ development in recent weeks.

The Lowdown: Expected to leave

A Lilywhites source told Football Insider just last month that the 24-year-old had been informed by the club that he was free to leave this summer. The Welshman was also reportedly keen on a move away from north London back in January following interest from the likes of Premier League rivals Newcastle and Brighton.

However, the centre-back has been brought on as a substitution in Spurs’ last two games after previously failing to make any top-flight appearances under Antonio Conte, signalling that his luck might just be about to change.

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The Latest: Twist in the tale

Wenham claimed that even though these outings have only amounted to nine minutes of action, it is a hugely positive development for Rodon and one that could mean Antonio Conte now wants to include him in his plans for next season.

He told Football Insider: “I think it is really telling that Conte has brought Rodon on in his last two games.

“He did not have to do that, make no mistake about it. I said a few weeks ago that maybe there was a way back for him.

“Obviously he hadn’t played at all under Conte so it was clear to see where he is in the pecking order.

“I think him coming on in these games has been Conte telling him that he might have a future here.

“He definitely wants Rodon to feel a part of this squad because, as I day, he did not need to bring him on in either of those games.”

The Verdict: Rodon’s pre-season chance

Despite not being handed hardly any game time at Spurs, Rodon has become an integral part of Robert Page’s Wales international squad, where he’s been capped 24 times since making his debut three years ago and drawn praise as 'flawless' and 'special' from journalist Ian Mitchelmore.

The 5 foot 11 youngster has been in great form when performing for his country on the world stage, averaging an outstanding 6.3 clearances, 1.3 interceptions, and 1.3 blocks per game at Euro 2020, via WhoScored, showing his defensive capabilities are more than passable.

If Conte does view Rodon as part of his long-term vision at Tottenham, he should maybe start giving him more of a chance to prove himself, with pre-season being the perfect opportunity for the talented prospect to show just what he’s capable of ahead of the start of the new campaign.

In other news… a BBC pundit has hinted at Conte’s number one ‘underlying problem’ at Spurs.