Ramos warns Spurs players: Impress against PSV or you're out

Spurs' head coach will use the tie as a gauge of his own hat-trick chances in the competition, as well as an assessment of which players he wants to keep for next season.

The club ended their trophy drought within four months of Ramos' arrival but he was fuming the weekend after lifting the Carling Cup, refusing to address his players following the heavy defeat at Birmingham.

The Spaniard explained that he did not want to say something he regretted; the players were given Sunday off as usual and then preparations started for the last-16 clash against Dutch champions PSV, with the first leg at White Hart Lane.

"It's an important test, PSV are at a high level and this is a barometer of where we can go and if we can compete at that level," said Ramos. "Then I will know if my players have the ability for this stage."

Players are also looking to impress to remain in Ramos' plans for the future.

"They have three months to show their strengths," said the head coach. "There are many minutes on the pitch and if they show they are capable of playing for this club in that time then they will stay."

Ramos, who has won the UEFA Cup with Sevilla in the last two seasons, has a reputation as a disciplinarian, shouting at his players from the sidelines and showing a ruthless streak in his selection policy. He describes his style as "just".

"You have to treat every individual as an individual. Sometimes you have to show them affection, sometimes you have to shout at them," he added.

"It's like a child, sometimes you have to give them a sweet, when they are bad you have to shout at them."

Ramos has defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King back in the squad for the first-leg clash against PSV.

Woodgate has been out with a sprained ankle, while King is being brought back gradually from his knee surgery last summer.

King's injury is still being continually assessed to determine which games he will be able to play in.

"At the moment it is how his knee comes on and how it gets better," Ramos said. "From then on we can decide if it's going to be more stable and he can then play more games. It's not something we can decide at the moment."

Spurs will parade the Carling Cup for their fans ahead of kick-off against PSV, with the mood of the club changing after ending their nine-year wait for a cup.

Ramos had his players diving on the floor in training, and he joked: "They were practicing the celebrations if we win the UEFA Cup."