SPURS NEWS:

Ledley King believes Tottenham's form in Europe is ideal preparation for a shot at the Champions League next season.

Source: Sporting Life

Spurs have qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup already and a point against Dinamo Bucharest on Thursday night will see them top Group B and probably secure a favourable draw in the next round.

Rivals Arsenal pipped Spurs to fourth place in the Barclays Premiership last season and a place in Europe's top competition, but Martin Jol's men have impressed in the UEFA Cup and protect a 100% record when they welcome Dinamo to White Hart Lane.

They have been less consistent in the league this season but a run of positive results has seen them handily placed ahead of the Christmas schedule.

"This experience has given us a test for wanting to step up and play in the Champions League like Arsenal and Chelsea," said King.

"It's something that all players want to do. We've seen the Champions League at the top level of club football and hopefully, next season, that's our aim, we want to be in the Champions League."

He added: "I don't think we're far off. Obviously we've got Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal ahead of us but after that we feel we're in the next group of teams pushing to make it a top five or six.

"On our day we believe we can beat anyone and if the season goes well then we can finish in the top four, no doubt."

King, 26, missed the final part of last season when Spurs just failed to hold on to fourth spot which they held after Christmas until the final day of the season.

"We remember the pain we felt on the last day of the season, we don't want to feel that again," King added.

However, boss Jol would rather win the UEFA Cup than qualify for the Champions League and struggle with Europe's elite.

"If you are in the Champions League you could end up with a problem, but winning the UEFA Cup would be a big success for this club," said the Spurs boss.

"Going into the Champions League doesn't mean anything - it would mean we are in the top four in England but after that there are so many games to play until you can win something and I don't feel we are strong enough yet to win something in the Champions League."

Meanwhile, Dinamo coach Mircea Rednic has expressed his disappointment at the club's decision to allow wives and girlfriends of his players to travel with his squad to London.

"I'm not really happy with the wives and girlfriends travelling, it was the club management who decided it was a bonus for them," he said.

"If they don't show the right attitude, they will be fined."

Dinamo have six injured players, including influential striker Claudiu Niculescu.