SPURS NEWS

Malbranque is eager to make up for lost time in a Tottenham shirt.

source - hamhigh.co.uk

The talented former French Under-21 international arrived at the Lane on transfer deadline day back in August having failed to agree a new contract at London rivals Fulham.

However, a hernia operation prevented Malbranque from making his Spurs debut until the Carling Cup tie at home to Port Vale last month.

Since then the 26-year-old midfielder has appeared six times for Tottenham in three separate competitions - the Premiership, the Carling Cup and the Uefa Cup.

"It has been a very frustrating period for me because it is difficult coming to a new club when you are injured," Malbranque told Ham&High Sport.

"I'm so pleased to be back playing again. I hope to play well for Tottenham fans.

"I'm not apprehensive any more about the injury. I'm not thinking about it anymore and in the matches to come I'm sure I'll be a100 per cent fit."

In fact, Malbranque, who also had his first taste of a north London derby on Saturday, feels the enforced two-month break from football has revitalised his appetite for the game.

"I'm really motiviated coming back and I really want to play," he said. "I've got no problems and my legs feel really fresh.

"I don't feel under any extra pressure. It is just normal pressure which everyone gets because it is important to get good results. So there is pressure like everyone else."

Malbranque, who can play anywhere across the midfield, feels he can solve Tottenham's well documented problems on the left. "I'm happy to play on the left, I like that position," he admitted.

"I can also play in the middle but of course it is the coach who makes that decision, not me. I hope I can solve that problem."

Malbranque, whose first name came from his parents' love of the 60s television series The Avengers, is happy that there are several French speaking players and staff at the Lane.

"It is a help but it is also important to speak to everyone at the club," he said. "I want to speak to the English players not just the French players.

"There are many good young English players here, who are equally important to the team." And one of those young English players who has has already caught Malbranque's eye is Tom Huddlestone.

"He's a very good player," said the midfielder. "Tom's young and I think in the future he could be really important to the team."

Although Malbranque has yet to play for the French senior team - he was last called into the French squad in 2004 - the former Fulham player has not given up entirely on a recall to the top side.

"My focus is to give my best for Spurs and concentrate on the club but if the French coach wants to come and see me so much the better."

This is Malbranque's sixth season in the Premiership after signing for Fulham from Lyon in August 2001 for £5million and he feels he can fulfil his ambition of winning a trophy in England.

"Yes, that is possible this season," he said. "We've got a really good chance in the League Cup where we are at home to Southend in the quarter-final.

"We are doing really well in the Uefa Cup, having already qualified for the knockout stages."

And, despite Saturday's disappointing 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal at the Emirates, Malbranque feels Spurs can emulate last season's fifth placed finish in the league. "I think it is possible for us to get a top five place," he said. "It is a long season but we must improve our away form."