Spurs Playmaker Desperate for Soldado Link-Up

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby believes his recent form warrants a start alongside striker Roberto Soldado.

Holtby replaced Christian Eriksen after 70 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at White Hart Lane, a performance which followed an assist-laden showing against Aston Villa in the League Cup where he laid on three of Spurs' four goals at Villa Park.

The German international has made a series of cameo appearances of late but has been used sparingly this term with Eriksen, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andros Townsend ahead in the pecking order, but the 23 year old says he is due an opportunity to impress in the Premier League for Tottenham.

"I feel very comfortable and very proud to be here at this club, and I just try to do the things that I do best," he said.

"Roberto Soldado is a fantastic striker. I hope one day I can play behind him and I'm learning Jermain Defoe's runs too.

"It's easy for a number 10 or a central midfielder to put these players in because they make some wonderful movements, and I'm just happy to be here."

Holtby was signed from Schalke 04 last January and made 17 appearances last season but Tottenham's new additions have condemned him to the bench this season.

In his absence, Tottenham have taken 13 points from their opening six games the most recent point coming in the draw against Chelsea, in which Andre Villas-Boas' side dominated the first half before being pegged back after the break.

And Holtby says Spurs passed the test of their title credentials with flying colours despite not taking all three points.

"Everyone can dream but our main aim is to get Champions League football," the Tottenham midfielder said.

"I think we've got the quality and the ability in the whole squad to do that, I'm very confident.

"It's a long season and everyone has to be at the top level to reach that."

"This was a big test, absolutely, and I think we're in a good way and playing a wonderful season," he added.

"I think the manager was proud of us and how we committed to the game and how we fight in our game week in and week out. We've had a lot of games now in the last couple of weeks so everyone's just done a fantastic job.

"We have to keep on progressing. It's very early in the season, we have to keep working hard. We've got a couple of games now where we have to get some points and stick up top and defend our place up in the top four."