Mauricio Pochettino says Erik Lamela will find it easy to discover his "real level" for Tottenham after scoring his first goal since making his return from a 13-month layoff.
The Tottenham winger, who made his comeback in November following a career-threatening injury, scored his first goal of the season in a 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round replay win over Newport County.
A goal against League Two opposition may not be the stuff of dreams for a first career FA Cup goal, however, given the path he has taken, it will be a big confidence boost for the 25-year-old.
After the ordeal of the past year, Pochettino feels a more mature Lamela will find it easy to return to his pre-injury level despite the big setback.
“Always it's important to feel the net for offensive players and for him to play 90 minutes,” Pochettino told reporters. “I think it's a very important feeling for him. It's important because he's an important player.
“Of course it was a massive problem, more than one year out. Never it's easy to come back and perform as he was before. But sure before he loves football, and he loves to train. I think his mentality is fantastic.
“I think he is going to find it easy to recover his real level, or improve because he is more mature and you learn in a tough moment a lot. No doubt.”
