Source: BBC

Roman Pavlyuchenko has vowed to work hard and fight for his place in the Spurs side.

Despite being Spurs' second top scorer with 13 goals in 31 matches so far in his debut season in England the 27-year-old has been on the bench of late.

"I'm sure that I'll have a chance to show my best in the upcoming matches," said Pavlyuchenko.

"Competition for places is everywhere and you need to continue to work hard and not to break down."
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After excelling for Russia at Euro 2008 - scoring three goals - Pavlyuchenko adapted well to life in the Premier League and enjoyed a rich vein of goalscoring form after Harry Redknapp initially took charge at White Hart Lane in October 2008.

"Despite long discussions about the time needed to adapt to English football I think that I did well for the team, scored some important goals," he said.

However, the return to Spurs of Jermain Defoe - who has since been injured - and Robbie Keane in the January transfer window has pushed Pavyluchenko down the pecking order, something he is determined to rectify.

"I just need to go out on the pitch and score. To score is my work. That's why I moved to England and that's what is expected of me. I have lots of energy to do it," he said.

Despite spending most of the season in the bottom half of the table, the congested nature of the Premier League this season and a string of recent good results have given Spurs an outside chance of qualifying for Europe and Pavyluchenko believes they can achieve this aim.

"Tottenham is such a top club which always has the highest goals," he said. "The last matches against Aston Villa and Chelsea have shown that we can play successfully and beat the season's leaders.

"That's why I can consider a European place as a reality. At least I believe we can do it. It's football and everything may happen."

Pavlyuchenko is also hoping that strong performances from himself and his fellow Russian internationals will convince coach Guus Hiddink to remain with the national side instead of making his current temporary reign at Chelsea permanent.

"We have to prove Guus that we are a good squad and we can win all our matches in the qualifiers," he said.

"Everything depends on us. If we can get the results everything will be fine."