Jol warns Defoe: If I give you a chance in Cyprus, you'd better take it

Defoe was upset after failing to make the bench against Arsenal at the weekend but is likely to be in the squad on Thursday against Famagusta at White Hart Lane.

Chairman Daniel Levy wants the England striker to sign a new deal to avoid a repeat of the situation the club faced when Sol Campbell ran down his contract and left for nothing, although Defoe is not currently getting a game for Spurs.

"What I said to Jermain was that they have to push each other and when he gets his chance he has to take it," said Jol. "It is very healthy for the squad.

"I don't expect him to be happy about it, but I am not here to make people happy as I have to make tough choices.

"I have named two strikers on the bench in the past, but it makes your job harder because you have to name a midfield player who can cover both wide and central positions."

The Dutchman added: "There are other players who will be disappointed, but the main advantage of this situation is that everybody must be on their toes for when they come back into the reckoning - which could be at any time."

Defoe could only watch as the strikers higher than him in the pecking order squandered chances against Arsenal.

Dimitar Berbatov missed a one-on-one opportunity after rounding the goalkeeper, while Darren Bent came on and mis-kicked when sent through.

"Dimitar Berbatov will do better next time and he has said that himself," Jol said.

"He knows and Darren Bent knows that they are top players and, that being the case, they have to do better and I'm sure they will do."

Jol admits his side have to turn their season around starting with the clash against Cypriot side Famagusta.

"Our start is the same as last year and to get back on track we need good team work and to cut out the errors sooner rather than later because we don't have the time," he said.

"We have to combine our development as a team with getting the right results and that is what we will do."