Pavlyuchenko makes point to Harry

Published Feb. 23, 2010 11:55 a.m. ET

foxsports

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko believes he has proved to Harry Redknapp that he is worthy of a place in Spurs' first team.

The 28-year-old scored two goals as a second-half substitute at Wigan on Sunday in a 3-0 victory.

The Russian international has been mostly overlooked by the Spurs boss this season; however his brace at the DW stadium has given the striker reason to believe he can play a big part in Spurs' push for fourth place in the Premier League.

"Many people here and at home have 'buried' me as a footballer," he said.

"They said my career was all but over. That's why I wanted to score on Sunday like never before."

Pavlyuchenko also expressed his surprise at Redknapp's positive comments about his efforts in training in the previous week, which had previously come in for some criticism from the Spurs coach.

"Before the game, I worked so hard in training that even Redknapp praised me, which hasn't happened for quite a while," he said.

"But despite being in the perfect mood today, I do realise one good game still doesn't mean much."

It appears however that Redknapp will give the striker another chance to impress, after the player revealed he will start against Bolton in Spurs' FA Cup fifth-round replay at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.