Michael Dawson has revealed that he "loves" playing for Tottenham Hotspur again after experiencing a turnaround in fortunes under Andre Villas-Boas.

The 29-year-old was told that he could leave White Hart Lane upon the Portuguese's arrival last summer, but has since regained his first-team place in central defence.

Spurs' captain recently signed a contract extension and has hinted that his commitment to the club is reflective of how happy he is that he is now firmly back in favour.

He told Sky Sports News: "It's football. I've had so many ups, so many downs, that's what football can bring. "It's a sport that everyone loves. A year ago I wasn't in the team. This time last year I'd hardly played two games.

"But I kept my head down and worked hard. Belief - that's what you've got to have inside. Everyone has knock-backs and it's how you bounce back and thankfully, once November came I got in the team and never looked back.

"What a football club. I love being here, I love the lads, the fans, everything. It's a great football club and one that's on the up and striving for big things."

Dawson joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest in 2005 and has gone on to make 284 appearances.