Parker to make first Tottenham start since May against Coventry

5 Jan 2013 00:55:00

The England international has made five sub appearances in his comeback from an Achilles injury, and assistant coach Steffen Freund says he is proud of the midfielder's attitude

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker is set to make his first start for the club since May 2012 in their FA Cup clash against Coventry at White Hart Lane.

The 32-year-old has been out since aggravating an Achilles injury on international duty with England which required surgery, but has made five appearances as a substitute in his comeback, and is now set to play against the League One side.

"Sandro and Mousa [Dembele] are doing a fantastic job for us - 10 points in the last four games - but I'm really proud about Scott Parker," assistant coach Steffen Freund told reporters.

"His expectations are always high and has been involved in England squads and went to the European Championship.

"To be patient is not easy, but that shows how strong we are, especially in central midfield. We have a lot of players - Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore, Tom Carroll. They are waiting to start too.

"That is why we are really strong in those two positions at the moment when we play 4-4-2.

"It is Scott's attitude, not only in the training sessions but he also played three Under-21 games to improve his fitness.

"He knows he will improve with games and that makes me proud as a coach that an England international plays with fun and enjoyment with the Under-21s so that he can be back in the starting XI.

"It's not difficult to manage that but it is part of our job to speak to the players and give them the feeling that their day will come if they are patient but I think that is normal."

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