Kyle Naughton has declared himself the man to fill the void left by Benoit Assou-Ekotto ahead of Tottenham's Europa League opener against Lazio.
Spurs were today still waiting to discover how long left-back Assou-Ekotto would face on the sidelines amid fears he could be ruled out for up to a month.
The 28-year-old missed Andre Villas-Boas' first win in charge at Reading on Sunday with a knee problem that may require a 'washout' procedure, ruling him out for around four weeks.
Losing Assou-Ekotto, who has barely missed a match in the last four seasons, would be seen as a blow to Spurs' hopes of building on their opening Barclays Premier League victory this term.
Jan Vertonghen has filled in at left-back numerous times for Belgium but Villas-Boas decided on Sunday to hand Naughton his full league debut for Tottenham.
Despite playing out of position, the 23-year-old proved up to the challenge at the Madejski Stadium and was hoping to have done enough to keep his place for Thursday's Europa League glamour clash against Lazio.
"It was great to get the three points and that the gaffer gave me a chance to show what I can do," he told his club's official website, www.tottenhamhotspur.com.
"I played at left-back a few times for Norwich [on loan] last season and hopefully now I can carry on playing. Towards the end, I was tiring a little and they got in behind us a little but the more games I play, hopefully the stronger I'll get.
"Everyone's been brilliant and I just hope I can carry on now and play in the Europa League."
Read More
MORE ABOUT