Villas-Boas wants Huddlestone to stay at Tottenham

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has urged midfielder Tom Huddlestone not to quit the club despite a lack of first-team action.



The 26-year-old midfielder has made only seven starts this season and with Sandro, Scott Parker, Moussa Dembele, Thomas Carroll and Jake Livermore all fighting for a midfield place Huddlestone has suggested that he may be forced to leave White Hart Lane to get regular football.



Huddlestone was given a rare start in the 2-2 draw with Wigan and it was his low free-kick that led to the equaliser in the closing seconds.



Villas-Boas insisted Huddlestone would get his chance if he maintained his performance levels.

"It is difficult [for him] to break into the team," the Tottenham boss said.



"But with performances like this he is able to get more chances, definitely."

Huddlestone has two years left on his contract and although Villas-Boas acknowledged the player's desire to play regular football he urged him to stay and fight for his place.

"The words are understandable from a player who has not been involved as much as he wanted," he continued.



"I think we have seen lots of players in midfield this season raise a level. From the moment Sandro got injured, he was the number-one recoverer of the ball and Mousa was also in the top 10.



"So it was very difficult for him to get into the team and when the chance happened it opened up for Scotty [Parker]."