Radio Poyet tunes in to new career in coaching

"That is something some managers fail to do. It would be ideal to start working alongside a manager who is working and in time become a manager myself."

Pleat said: "If he uses his experience to the right effect then I think he will do well.

He's got a good personality, a good command of languages and has very clear views on how the game should be played."

Poyet, who is back in the squad for Sunday's game, has seen his season interrupted by suspension and a broken wrist - he still wears a protective bandage. The Uruguayan didn't play under Glenn Hoddle at all this season, but insists that wasn't entirely down to injury, as the former manager claimed. Poyet said: "I missed the Fulham game in August but I was ready to play afterwards.

"The manager didn't pick me. I accepted his decision but what I didn't like hearing was that I was out with an injured wrist. I can accept being left out of the team, but not that I am out through injury when I am ready to play."

Yet the man bought by Hoddle said the whole squad should take collective responsibility for his dismissal. "When a manager is sacked it is a reflection on the squad. The players must take some of the responsibility. It was a difficult decision for the directors to make. I have seen maybe 10 managers sacked in my career and each time the players react. Sometimes the change works and sometimes it doesn't. The players have responded to David Pleat."

But Poyet knows his own time as a player is coming to an end. "I will wait until nearer the end of the season and I haven't spoken to the club about a new contract," he said. "Obviously now is not the right time. At the moment I feel fine but I don't know how I will feel after a long season. The important thing is that I finish at a high level. I don't want to leave and then play in the First or Second Division.

"If this season is my last with Tottenham then it will take something very special to make me play on. If not, then I will stop playing and begin to look at a different career."

Tottenham's only doubt concerns

Belgian mid --fielder Jonathan

Blondel, who was under treatment yesterday for a slight knock. Christian Ziege and Jamie Redknapp remain sidelined but there is a slight chance striker Freddie Kanoute may have recovered from ankle ligament damage to face Villa.