Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld ready for return to Southampton
Thursday 17 December 2015 17:09, UK
Toby Alderweireld is focused on helping Tottenham return to winning ways when they travel to his former club Southampton on Saturday.
The Belgium international enjoyed a fine season on the south coast last season during his loan spell from Atletico Madrid before joining Spurs in an £11.5m deal in the summer.
The 26-year-old has been equally impressive in north London this term, with Spurs enjoying a 14-match unbeaten run in the Premier League before Sunday's surprise home defeat to Newcastle, but he is expecting a tough battle against a team that is without a win in five.
"I will be happy to play there again and to see all the guys but it's all about a good performance for us. I'm very thankful to Southampton and we helped each other," he told the club's website.
"They haven't got the results they would have wanted in the last couple of games but they are doing well. They have a very decent team and have played well this season.
"If you look player by player, it's a strong squad. They are consistent and capable of beating anyone and they have something special there. Graziano Pelle is a good player, Sadio Mane, Victor Wanyama, Dusan Tadic and I could keep going.
"(But) ... we'll do everything to get a good result at Southampton. We have to be positive, and... for the next game."
Alderweireld's partnership with compatriot Jan Vertonghen has been a crucial factor in Spurs' promising start to the season, although they are two of four Belgium internationals in the Spurs squad alongside Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele.
"I'm very happy with how things have gone. There is something about how I feel here. I'm very lucky to be here, I'm very happy and the guys have helped me from day one, so any credit doesn't just go to me," Alderweireld said.
"They gave me confidence and that's one of the most important things in football, having the confidence to show your ability. I just hope I stay fit and we'll see what happens."
