Rose taking chance to impress

Tottenham full-back Danny Rose has relished his extended first-team chance during pre-season and is determined to nail down the position once the real thing gets under way this weekend.

Rose, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Sunderland last season, has been a regular at left-back for Andre-Villas Boas' side ahead of the new campaign and is grateful to the Spurs boss while insisting he does not want to go out on loan again.

"This is the most I've played in pre-season," he said. "It's nice to have a manager who gives you a chance and is not afraid to drop certain players."

Benoit Assou-Ekotto has not played in pre-season with concerns over his fitness and the Cameroon international's future at White Hart Lane is in doubt, with Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao linked with a move to north London.

"Obviously I know Spurs have been in the top four or five clubs for the last five seasons or so, so I know it's hard for anyone to break through, but at the same time it is frustrating and it's great that now the gaffer is not afraid to drop people if you're not performing or training hard enough.

"I enjoyed every minute at Sunderland. It's a club that I'd love to go and play for again because they're the only team at this minute which has given me a chance to play week in week out.

"I enjoyed every minute of it and now I've experienced it, coming here and sitting on the bench is not something I'd be looking to do.

"I love this club, but if I don't play regularly then I'm not going to be happy, just like everyone else wouldn't be happy.

"I wouldn't be going on loan again. If I wasn't playing then a loan's not an option for me now. I want to get settled somewhere, playing week in week out."