Giovani dos Santos has spoken of his determination to establish himself as a regular in the Tottenham Hotspur team once he regains full fitness from an ankle injury, currently keeping him sidelined.

The former Barcelona starlet has failed to live up to the hype that surrounded his move from the Nou Camp to North London in 2008, and is currently Spurs' fifth choice forward behind Defoe, Crouch, Keane, and Pavlyuchencko.

However, the Mexican youngster is adamant that he can cement a place at White Hart Lane if given the chance by manager Harry Redknapp, for whom he has a lot of respect.

After failing to impress in the Premier League, Dos Santos was sent out on loan to Ipswich Town in March 2009 where he dazzled for both club and country, before an ankle injury obtained in the Carling Cup put him out of action.

The 20-year old will take no further part in the Mexico's World Cup qualifiers, but Dos Santos maintains that when fully fit he can force his way into Harry Redknapp's plans.

“I’ve had a scan and am hoping I can get back in a couple of weeks,” he explained.

“It is very frustrating...I really want to show what I am capable of doing."

Dos Santos later confessed, “I’m not saying I should be picked ahead of [Jermain] Defoe, [Peter] Crouch or [Robbie] Keane. But I’ve been in good form, doing well in training and waiting to take any opportunity."

“Harry Redknapp is a great manager and I’m hoping he will give me some more minutes on the pitch when I’m fit. This season I’m stronger mentally and physically.”

If Dos Santos can translate his self-confidence from mere words to on-pitch performances, then Redknapp may have no choice but to rethink his attacking options to include the diminutive and skillful Mexican.