‘It’s unbelievable’ – Jamie Donley opens up on training with the first-team at Tottenham

Jamie Donley has admitted that being part of the first-team set-up at Tottenham Hotspur is a dream come true for him, having grown up supporting the side.

It is Donley’s outstanding displays for Tottenham’s Under-21s over the last 18 months that have catapulted him to the senior set-up.

The versatile attacker, who can operate as a number eight, a second striker or even as a conventional centre-forward, now regularly trains with Ange Postecoglou’s squad, having made four senior appearances as a substitute this season, three of which have come in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

The youngster is thoroughly enjoying the ride but far from being content with what he has achieved, he remarked that he wants to keep pushing to become a more prominent member of the set-up.

Jamie Donley is cherishing his time with Spurs first-team

Donley told Football.London: “It’s been unbelievable [being part of the first team], obviously being a Tottenham fan myself as well, but I’ve got to keep going. I haven’t done anything yet. I want to be playing, I want to be starting for the first team so I’ve got to keep my head down and keep working.

“I think everyone involved, all of the staff have helped me to push me on this season. Obviously, I’ve had to work hard and my work rate is good. I’ve worked hard in training in creating habits so it hopefully makes it easier on the pitch. I think that’s my main thing. I’ve trained so hard on those habits this season and that’s helped me a lot more going into games.”

The teenager made his senior bow at the Etihad Stadium back in December, coming on in the 89th minute of the game posed at 3-3. The youngster admitted that he had plenty of nerves before coming on in such a big stage against the reigning Premier League champions.

When asked about his debut, Donley responded: “I was nervous, very nervous, especially coming on in that game. I was scared but once it was finished I was happy. I just didn’t want to concede while I was on the pitch. It was good for me.”

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As we have seen time and again, it always means that little bit more to players who come through the system, especially ones who grew up as Tottenham supporters.

We have not seen any academy players establish themselves as first-team regulars since Skipp broke through a few years ago and Spurs fans will be hoping Donley ends that wait.