Tom Huddlestone is looking to stage a late surge to make England's World Cup squad by helping Tottenham reach the Champions League.
Huddlestone has established a formidable midfield partnership with Wilson Palacios, which has put Spurs on the cusp of reaching Europe's premier club competition, and the England international is hoping to maintain his excellent level of performances ahead of the showpiece in South Africa.
The 23-year-old received his first England cap under Fabio Capello against Brazil earlier in the season, but knows he faces a tricky task to break into a talented midfield line-up.
"The four who have been in virtually every squad - Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Gerrard and Gareth Barry - are all excellent players with the clubs they are at and the standards they play to every season," he told the Daily Express.
"But hopefully I'm not too far away."
Huddlestone has credited Spurs boss Harry Redknapp with his improved form and believes the north London side's tactics suit his style of play.
He added: "The manager wants me to mix it up, to get on the ball a lot and get our attacks going. "But the other side of my game, which I think I've improved a lot this season, is closing people down, making more tackles and trying to win the ball back in the opponents' half rather than let them come on to us.
"I'm still only 23, but this season has been my best and most consistent so far." Reaching the Champions League would represent a huge boost for Spurs, who have overcome the disappointment of losing an FA Cup semi-final to Portsmouth by recording back-to-back victories against title contenders Arsenal and Chelsea. And Huddlestone reckons that playing at the highest level of club football would only improve his ability.
He said: "You get better with the higher standard of players you train with and playing against better players as well. "The best players play in the Champions League and I'm sure, if we're in that, we'll all develop as a squad and as individuals. "For a club side, there is no better competition. It just seems the most exciting competition, it is the pinnacle."
