Noe to fill all-action hero role at Spurs

The Frenchman was immediately thrust into the first team for the 1-1 draw at West Brom and delighted head coach Jacques Santini with a typically combative display. Pamarot has since become a fixture in a Spurs defence which has conceded just three goals this season.

He said: "I had trained with Spurs for less than a week and then that weekend I was playing. I think it was too early, but they needed me.

"The only players' names I knew were Noureddine Naybet and Jamie Redknapp so I was a bit lost. I just tried to do my best. I am a defensive player so I enjoy it when the team are defending well."

His header at Goodison Park would have killed most "first goalscorer" bets, but Pamarot insists his strengths are not exclusively negative.

He said: "I scored a few times from corners in France and also direct from free-kicks. I'm too shy to tell the coaches I can shoot from 25 metres because we have so many good forward players. I need to build my confidence here first and later I will tell them."

Pamarot's career began with Paris FC in 1995. After a spell with SV Martugues, in 1999 he moved to Nice who immediately sent him on loan to tonight's opponents, Portsmouth, with a view to a permanent move.

The departure of Alan Ball, however, saw his opportunities limited and he returned to France having featured in just three first-team games.

Pamarot said: "I was 20 and wanted to play England, but it didn't work out. A new manager came in just after I arrived and wanted his own players.

"In my mind, I knew I would come back to England later - when I was ready. Here it is a more physical game which suits my style much better. In France, the referees were always whistling against me and I ended up getting booked quite a lot."

Pamarot models his game on French World Cup winners Marcel Desailly and Lilian Thuram and would eventually like to succeed them in the national team. He also shares their ability to play in more than one position, adding: "I used to play central defender which I think is my best position, but I can also play right-back.

"I am just starting to play at a big club, so it's too early to talk about playing for the national team. I will work hard and see what happens.

"When I came here I was on my own and I wasn't speaking to the other players that much because I was a bit embarrassed about speaking English. But now I am less shy and am really starting to enjoy it."

The only drawback about leaving France has been a shortage of celluloid. A film buff who would visit the cinema three times a week in Nice, Pamarot has yet to sample the delights of a British silverscreen.

He said: "Since moving I've been too busy with shopping and sorting things out. I like every type of film, from musicals to action films like James Bond and Star Wars." Although, perhaps worryingly for fans of the Lilywhites, Pamarot lists his favourite movie as Moulin Rouge.

Spurs will be without Redknapp (ban) and Sean Davis (knee), while Erik Edman is doubtful with a head injury. Michael Carrick is available for the first time since signing from West Ham and Fredi Kanoute is also fit.