Cristian Romero returns from a ban to bolster Tottenham’s defence but Ange Postecoglou remains fixated on squeezing even more attacking flair from his team.

Spurs have quickly become synonymous with a dashing style and high-risk strategy under their new boss, who is keen to boost the return of 28 goals from 14 Premier League games, which leaves them off the pace in the ranks of free scorers.

‘We are still well short in that area,’ said Postecoglou about the league’s glut of goals. ‘It’s still the area where we’ve got so much more upside in our front third to score more goals. 

The 3-3 draw at Manchester City offered further glimmers of encouragement for Postecoglou. ‘It is like, when you’re panning for gold,’ he said. 

Ange Postecoglou has backed his Tottenham players to start scoring more goals – and quick

Spurs have quickly become synonymous with a dashing style and high-risk strategy under their new boss

‘There’s a lot of dirt there, but you’re just looking for that little speck, and we’ve got quite a few specks of gold I can show to the players after the game that say, “keep digging here, we’ll get some nuggets eventually”.’

Postecoglou has tinkered with his front line. Son Heung-min started the season wide on the left before switching to play through the centre, and injuries to James Maddison, Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr forced further changes. Son has nine goals and the Spurs boss paid tribute to his contribution on the eve of tonight’s derby against West Ham.

‘He’s elite in every sort of aspect,’ said Postecoglou. ‘I’d be very surprised if by the time he’s finished he’s not up there as one of the outstanding strikers who’ve played in the Premier League.

‘A lot of his career has been played out wide but he’s been a goal threat the whole time and now I’m putting him inside and he’s got nine already. He’s been outstanding.’

There was also effusive praise for Son’s leadership qualities in his first season as captain.

‘The example he sets is inspiring,’ said Postecoglou. ‘He has climbed the mountain many times in terms of his own football pedigree but every day he loves what he does. Every day it feels like a blessing and every day that rubs off on other people. 

Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has found form under Postecoglou this season

Spurs captain Son Heung-min was described by Postecoglou as ‘elite in every sort of aspect’

‘Then he plays the game and runs around like he’s a kid, literally just chasing balls down and a lot of that running is without reward.

‘When the chips are down, everybody looks at the leaders and he just has this thing in his head, “whatever they say about me, good, bad or otherwise, I’m not going to stop running”.

‘That has an effect on people because if your best player is doing that, as a team-mate you can’t not do it. He’s been a force for us during this period, showing us the way forward.’

The crisis eases slightly with the return of Romero, after a three-match ban, and Richarlison, who came on as a sub at City.