Villas-Boas: Friedel will say in goal

Andre Villas-Boas says Brad Friedel will remain as Tottenham’s number one goalkeeper after another exceptional display.

The American was dropped in place of French international Hugo Lloris, who made his debut for the London club in their Europa League clash at home to Lazio.

But Friedel returned to the field against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, where he played a starring role in Tottenham’s first home win of the season.

The former Aston Villa shotstopper denied QPR’s Clint Hill and Junior Hoilet in the opening half as Tottenham went on to secure a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory.

And following Friedel’s performance, Villas-Boas insists Lloris, an eight million pound signing from French giants Lyon during the transfer window, must continue to bide his time.

“We’ve made Hugo aware that whenever Brad has a bad game then we won’t change things,” he said. “We have to go about things carefully.

“We don’t doubt Hugo’s ability and talent but at the moment we are paying respect to a player who is playing very well.

“At the right time, if needed, we will think about bringing Hugo in.

“He’s a very good professional and he wants to come back into the team. He’s competing with Brad for the position and will be in the team very soon.”

Tottenham have won their last two English Premier League games and are unbeaten in their past four, and it appears it’s going to take a dramatic change in form for the French number one to claim the leading position.