Highly sought Heurelho is staying

By Ben Pearce

HEURELHO Gomes has revealed that he is continually inundated with offers from other clubs, but insists that he is happy at Tottenham as he prepares to start his second season at White Hart Lane.

The Brazilian goalkeeper was notoriously unreliable in the first half of the last campaign, prompting speculation that Harry Redknapp would replace him this summer.

However, the manager is yet to bid for a stopper in this transfer window and, having kept his place ahead of January recruit Carlo Cudicini in the second half of last season, Gomes is relaxed about his future in N17.

"I am very happy here and I have no idea what players Tottenham need," he told the Journal. "It's normal before the season starts that there are a lot of movers, but I think this is no problem for me.

"I think I had a very good second half to last season, but the club decides my future, I don't decide these things. When Tottenham don't need me, many clubs want me. They call me all the time but I want to stay here."

Meanwhile, Gomes is also unconcerned by Spurs' spate of defensive injuries as the Premier League kick-off approaches, and the 28-year-old is adamant that the Tottenham squad has the strength in depth to plug the gaps.

"There's no point panicking because Charlie [Vedran Corluka] can play there and Tom [Huddlestone] can play there as well," he said.

"When you're missing players like Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson they're difficult to replace, but the fans don't need to worry because there is quality in our group.

"I think I will start the season much better to last season, and I think the club will start much better than last season. It's the same squad as last season and we'll make a much better start.

"We have quality in the group and we work for the qualification of the Champions League - this is so important for us.