Assou-Ekotto ready to battle for Tottenham place

07/01/2013 2:30:00 AM

The left-back has been out for four months with a knee injury but is confident of winning back a spot in Andre Villas-Boas' XI despite the good form of his replacements

Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto is ready to fight to regain his place in manager Andre Villas-Boas' starting XI after spending four months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The left-back made his return during Saturday's 3-0 victory over Coventry in the FA Cup third round, but Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Naughton have impressed in his position in his absence.

Assou-Ekotto, though, is confident he can make the position his own once again after facing competition for starts when he first arrived at White Hart Lane.

"It's not a problem," he told the club's official website. "When I came here six years ago I was in competition with Gilberto, Lee Young-Pyo and Gareth Bale and it ended up being my place so it's not a problem."

Assou-Ekotto was initially expected to be out for only a few weeks but after being reassessed, the recovery time was extended.

The 28-year-old said that his comeback had been made easier, however, by the strong run of form Spurs have enjoyed in recent weeks.

"It was not difficult because it is more easy to come back in to a team who are playing well," he added.

"It was easy to play. I am cool to come back and to have a win at the end of the game so it's cool for us, for the team and for me."