LIONS manager Kenny Jackett has his fingers crossed Tottenham will allow defender Adam Smith to remain at The Den.

The 21-year-old is still available to face Aston Villa in the cup tomorrow night and Barnsley in the league on Tuesday before his current loan ends.

But the Lions are still waiting to hear from Spurs whether the promising full-back will stay for the remainder of the campaign, a decision set to be made over the weekend.

Jackett said: “I’ve spoken to the player and to his agent.

“The player is very happy here and he likes it here.

“But from Spurs’ point of view they are happy with what we have done and the opportunity that we’ve given him.

“In an ideal world in his development he would then go on at some stage - I don’t know whether that is now in the second half of the season or next year – but he would then go on to get some Premier League experience because ultimately that is what they want.

“They want to develop Premier League players.

“When that stepping stone happens I don’t know.

“We hope it can be prolonged by six months but we won’t know right until the end unfortunately.

“He has two games with us left, which are Aston Villa and Barnsley, and I would anticipate having some sort of decision at the start of next week.”

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