Ketchup ban the source of Huddlestone's revival

Huddlestone is craving ketchup as Tottenham play catch-up under the strictly sauceless regime of Juande Ramos.

Huddlestone admits that the Ramos revolution, founded on gruelling training sessions and boring food, has hauled his Spurs career back on track as he returns to Derby today.

Fruit juice has been replaced by water, all sauces are banned and munching down slices of toast between meals is also frowned upon by the Spanish manager.

'Most of the food we're told to eat now is dry and we're told not to have too much sugar,' said Huddlestone. I miss ketchup with my chicken. But the main thing with me has been trying to stick to water instead of fruit juices which have a lot of sugar in them.'

Tommy H may pine for his Tommy K but the effect on the 21-year-old has been dramatic.

He looks sleeker and more athletic and has regained his midfield place alongside Jermaine Jenas, another who is thriving under Ramos. Huddlestone said: 'I've lost a bit of weight but I'm not really concerned with that. I'm more focused on my fitness and being able to last 90 minutes, running more than I was before.

'Training is harder and on average everyone is covering a lot more distance in the games. When you feel lighter and fitter you have more confidence on the ball.'

The downsizing of Huddlestone is ironic considering that he was released by Nottingham Forest at the age of 12 because they did not think he was strong enough, even though he was 6ft tall.

He crossed the East Midlands to Derby and was in the first team squad by 15, with John Gregory naming him as a substitute for a game at Millwall.

'The manager put Ravanelli in the stands and me on the bench, which was a bit awkward for a 15-year-old,' said Huddlestone, but he became a regular at Pride Park before moving to Tottenham for £2.5million in 2005.

Progress has been fitful. He established himself in Martin Jol's team last season but drifted out after injuries and a dip in form. Jol always believed Huddlestone was the natural partner for Jenas — Huddlestone holding and passing with Jenas flying forward — but feared he did not clock up his share of midfield miles.

When Ramos took over a struggling team, Huddlestone reacted positively to his new boss.

'He wasn't sure I could last 90 minutes so I've worked harder in training and outside training,' said Huddlestone. 'I've played the last three games and hopefully that will continue. Three games in six days was probably not something the manager would have trusted me to do before.

'We've got a lot of big games coming up. We've got to try to get ourselves in the top half of the table, we've got a cup final and two big European games. The results are picking up and the performances are getting better.'