Roberto De Zerbi explains James Maddison absence after Tottenham win

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed James Maddison was left out of Spurs' 2-0 pre-season victory over Auckland FC purely as a precaution as the midfielder continues to build his fitness.

Richarlison and Dane Scarlett were on target as Tottenham opened their pre-season tour of Asia and Oceania with a comfortable win over the newly-crowned A-League champions at Eden Park.

De Zerbi named a youthful starting XI featuring eight academy graduates, with Archie Gray captaining the side.

Tottenham took the lead after 12 minutes when Gray's incisive pass released Manor Solomon down the left. Although Solomon's effort was saved, Scarlett reacted quickest to convert the rebound.

Goalkeeper Brandon Austin preserved Spurs' advantage with an excellent one-on-one save from Sam Cosgrove before half-time.

Richarlison doubled Tottenham's lead shortly after coming off the bench, finishing from Mathys Tel's cross after De Zerbi introduced several senior players during the second half.

James Maddison did not feature against Auckland after missing the final five days of training.

The England international suffered an ACL injury during Tottenham's pre-season tour last summer, and De Zerbi confirmed the club were simply unwilling to take any unnecessary risks.

"He's not working the last five days, I think, like Udogie, but they have not a big problem," De Zerbi said.

"Just to stay focused, don't take any risks and then for the next game, the next friendly game against Sydney."

The Italian also suggested Sandro Tonali and other senior players could feature in Tottenham's next fixture.

"Maybe we play with Tonali, with other players, maybe, we've got to see."

De Zerbi reserved special praise for Gray after handing the 20-year-old the captain's armband.

"Archie is young, but he's an old player, as a mentality, as a performance, as an experience, as a career."

The Tottenham boss also reiterated that age plays no role in his selection decisions.

"The young players have to push, because with me as a coach, they have the chance to play."

"Logically, they have to show me they are ready, they have qualities, they have a mentality to play in this club."

"But when I decide the players, when I decide the squad, I never see the age of the players."

Despite the large crowd of more than 40,000 supporters in Auckland, there were no debuts for summer arrivals Andy Robertson or Jan Paul van Hecke.

Midfielder Sandro Tonali was also absent from the squad but could be involved in Tottenham's next pre-season fixture.

The performance nevertheless offered several encouraging signs for De Zerbi, particularly from the club's younger players, as Spurs continued preparations for the new Premier League season.

Tottenham will continue their pre-season tour with a friendly against Sydney FC, where James Maddison, Sandro Tonali and several other senior players could return to action if deemed fit by Roberto De Zerbi and his coaching staff.