Tottenham Hotspur defender Younes Kaboul has declared that a place in France's squad at next summer's World Cup remains a realistic ambition.

The central defender has been sidelined since the opening day of last season with a knee injury, making his comeback for Spurs in a pre-season friendly against Espnayol last weekend.

Kaboul revealed that the agony of missing Euro 2012 remains fresh in his mind, with the defender now focused on finding top form with both club and country this season.

He told L'Equipe: "When you are injured for a long time, people don't talk about you anymore. But if you have three good matches, you become the best again. We've heard it all before.

"My knee is fine. It is rather my thigh that caused me trouble. I already broke my ligaments once at Auxerre. I knew how to bounce back. It is all a state of mind. If you are weak, you won't be back as good as before. I have been very well gathered fortunately, because if you are alone, you can lose your mind.

"It should have been my first big competition at international level. It was a huge disappointment. I miss Les Bleus. When I will be back to my best level, the French team will be my number one objective. I want to make a name for myself in the French team. Today it is a bit early, but the World Cup is in a corner of my mind. I have faith. There are a lot of good defenders, but there could be an opportunity. I will do my very best to go to the World Cup."

The 27-year-old is considered unlikely to start for Spurs on Sunday, as Andre Villas-Boas's side begin their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace.