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Northern Ireland international Jamie Donley could be set for an opportunity at Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur under new manager Thomas Frank.

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The 20-year-old, who made his debut for Michael O’Neill’s side in March after switching allegiance from England, shone during a loan spell at League One outfit Leyton Orient last season, scoring eight times and providing 10 assists.

Donley has since returned to parent club Spurs with many expecting he’d be loaned out to a Championship club – the likes of West Brom have been linked with interest – as he continues his progression, but he could now potentially be part of Frank’s plans heading into the new campaign.

football.london have reported Spurs are currently rejecting loan offers for Donley and will reassess his situation later in the summer after working in pre-season with Frank, who has replaced Ange Postecoglou.

Donley, who was born in Antrim, made three Premier League appearances during the 2023/24 season having impressed for the club’s U21s, scoring six goals and providing 14 assists in 20 outings.

He hit the headlines last term when his long-range effort helped put Orient ahead in their FA Cup clash against Manchester City with Pep Guardiola labelling Donley as “incredible”.

While TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey believes a loan move is still the most likely option for Donley this summer, he says the potential of the Northern Ireland star being involved in Frank’s squad next term can’t be ruled out.

“There are a few youngsters who I think they will look at,” said Bailey. “The one youngster I’m hearing at Tottenham to keep an eye on is Jamie Donley.

“Although he was on late, or I think there’s a real feeling amongst some at Spurs that he could really make a step up next season. Don’t rule out him being involved in Frank’s first-team squad next season.

“Everyone thinks he’s going out on loan, and he probably will, but I’m being told don’t rule out Donley getting a look, especially in pre-season. If he does well, there might be an opportunity for him.”

Donley made his Northern Ireland debut in March’s draw with Switzerland at Windsor Park and also featured against Denmark earlier this month.

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Braiden Graham’s impressive start to life at Everton continued on Monday evening as the former Linfield teenage sensation scored four goals for their U21 side in a dramatic 5-4 Premier League Two victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

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The 17-year-old departed the Blues last summer and has already earned his first professional contract at Goodison Park following a string of impressive performances for the Toffees’ U18 side, netting seven times in 11 appearances.

Graham has since made the step up to U21 level, and his quartet – which came inside 62 minutes at Hotspur Way Training Ground and brings his tally to five in eight outings – has certainly caught the attention of Everton fans, who are all excited by his potential.

His latest showing has even resulted in some Everton supporters calling for Graham to be handed a senior debut by David Moyes in their final six Premier League matches.

One fan said: “Braiden Graham scoring 4 past Spurs. Hope we give this lad the time to develop, he's got something special.”

Jack added: “The best thing about being safe now is we can give some minutes to young lads, like Braiden Graham.

Loze posted: “Braiden Graham scoring 4 in just over an hour for the 21s, impressive that.”

Graham also created a piece of club history with EFC Statto saying: “Braiden Graham is the first #EFC player to score 4+ goals in a reserve league game since Warren Aspinall against Middlesbrough Reserves in October 1986, and the first 17-year-old to do so since Jimmy Husband against Chesterfield Reserves in September 1965.”

Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer David Healy predicted a bright future for Graham before his Linfield departure last summer and believes he has the ability to one day star on the international stage.

“I have no doubt that in four or five years’ time when I'm coming to watch Northern Ireland that, hopefully, Braiden is leading the line - that's how highly I rate him,” Healy said last April. "Our academy staff and people around need to take great credit for that with the way they've nurtured him.

"Andy Waterworth and the JD Academy over the last couple of years have given him an opportunity to train on a daily basis and he has been in our environment since he made his debut last year. He's been an absolute credit.

"There's so much development still to come, which is a good thing - he's starting to sprout up a bit and he has all the attributes in his game to go and be a good player.

"We'll wish him well in the summer when he goes and I've no doubt in the next three, four or five years that this boy has the attributes to be a really good player, without putting too much pressure on him of course."