Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino insists it is purely footballing reasons that are preventing club captain Younes Kaboul from getting back into his side.

The 28-year-old has not featured in the Barclays Premier League since the 2-1 home defeat to Stoke on November 9 and has made only 12 appearances in all competitions since Pochettino's arrival in the summer.

Kaboul was installed as Pochettino's skipper after the Argentinian had spent some time with the squad, with the announcement made in mid-September.

But the France international has since struggled to hold down a place in Tottenham's starting XI, with the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Federico Fazio and Vlad Chiriches preferred by Pochettino.

It is also believed Tottenham may delve into the January transfer market to recruit another central defender and Pochettino revealed he will not pick Kaboul purely because he is the captain.

"It's a football decision, there is no other explanation," he said when questioned about Kaboul's omission.

"When you decide to pick the starting XI it's not because he's captain or that his name is different from another. You pick the player because it's your job and it's my decision.

"The captain means that you are a leader but because you are a captain you are not sure of starting XI. I am the head coach and I decide the players for each game."