Kaboul: Spurs need a top-four finish

Younes Kaboul is desperate to help Tottenham secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season after returning from injury.

The Frenchman has ramped up his recovery in recent weeks after almost a year on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained on the opening day of last season.

The London side finished fifth last season, just one point behind rivals Arsenal, and missing out on UEFA Champions League football for the third year running, despite racking up more points in a Premier League season than they had ever managed before.

Spurs have added Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado to their squad over the close-season and Kaboul is enthused by the work being done by manager Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.

“Andre has done a magnificent job for the club. He broke the points record last season and this season will be even better for him and us,” THE Frenchman said.

“The new signings are very good. This season is looking very good for us.

“Last season we missed it by nothing so this year we have to be there.

“We are going to have to be in the top four this season.”

And, while Kaboul is delighted with the work of Villas-Boas, the Portuguese manager is equally enthused by the 27-year-old’s tenacity after so long out.

The defender returned to competitive action in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Espanyol, which also saw Brazilian midfielder Sandro return to action after a cruciate ligament injury ended his season in January.

“To see Sandro and Younes back, players who have been so important for the club, is amazing, bearing in mind their absence,” the manager told the club’s official website.

“Particularly Younes, almost 12 months since he last played, he showed great strength of character to come back at this level and it means we can count on him in one or two weeks and we’re extremely happy with that.”