Tottenham Hotspur defender Steven Caulker has claimed that he will push his way into the club's first-team following an inconsistent career at White Hart Lane.

The 20-year-old has had limited opportunities at Spurs, which has resulted in a host of loan spells at Yeovil Town, Bristol City and more recently Swansea City.

"There have been times over the years I've forgotten I was a Spurs player," the London Evening Standard quotes Caulker as saying. "Obviously you're representing a team at that time, but my heart lies with Tottenham and after the games, I was always looking out for their result.

"Signing the new deal before this was a weight off my mind. This is the start of a big year for me, with the Olympics and then heading back to the Spurs. I'll hopefully get an opportunity and I'll take it.

"Of course you want the chance of impressing the manager, but I had a chat with him and understood his plans and I think when I am back, it's down to me to impress him."

Caulker penned a four-year contract with the North London club last month.