Kaboul: Tottenham needs a top-four finish

The central defender is excited about the north Londoners' summer signings and believes that coach Andre Villas-Boas should be commended for the job he has done so far.

The fit-again Younes Kaboul is desperate to help Tottenham secure what he feels is an imperative top-four finish this season.

Spurs finished fifth last season, just one point behind Arsenal, and missed out on Champions League football for the third year running, despite racking up more points in a Premier League campaign than the club had ever managed before.

However, the north Londoners have added Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado to their squad over the close-season and Kaboul is enthused by the work being done by manager Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.

"Andre has done a magnificent job for the club. He broke the points record last season and this season will be even better for him and us," the Frenchman told reporters.

"The new signings are very good. This season is looking very good for us. Last season we missed it by nothing so this year we have to be there. We are going to have to be in the top four this season."

While Kaboul is delighted with the work of Villas-Boas, the Portuguese is equally enthused by the 27-year-old's tenacity after so long out.

The defender returned to competitive action in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Espanyol, which also saw Brazilian midfielder Sandro back on the pitch after a cruciate ligament injury ended his 2012-13 season in January.

"To see Sandro and Younes back, players who have been so important for the club, is amazing, bearing in mind their absence," Villas-Boas told the club's official website.

"Particularly Younes, almost 12 months since he last played, he showed great strength of character to come back at this level and it means we can count on him in one or two weeks and we’re extremely happy with that."