Ashley Phillips: Plymouth Argyle sign Tottenham Hotspur centre-back on loan

Ashley Phillips has represented England at various youth levels

Championship side Plymouth have signed Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips on loan until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old joined Spurs from Blackburn in August and has played five times for the Tottenham Under-21s.

The England Under-19 captain has been allowed to leave despite a defensive shortage, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Eric Dier all sidelined.

Argyle have conceded 12 goals in their past five Championship games.

Last week Plymouth appointed former England youth coach Ian Foster, who has previously taken charge of the country's under-18, under-19 and under-20 sides.

Salford-born Phillips was with Blackburn from the age of 12, making his debut aged 17 and playing 14 times in all competitions last season before signing a five-year deal with the north London side.

"He's a young player with lots of potential," Foster told BBC Sport about his first signing.

"He's a really calm and composed player with the ball, and someone who is brave is possession.

"Out of possession he's really athletic. He's a big 18-year-old so he's physically already highly developed, but I'm sure there's much more to come.

"He's not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, but he will be a top player," he added.

Meanwhile, midfielder Luke Cundle has been recalled from his season-long loan with the Pilgrims by Wolves, having scored five goals in 27 appearances with the Devon club.