Tottenham manager Juande Ramos has urged the club's fans to give his new side time to prove they can challenge the elite this season.

Spurs supporters are already concerned after seeing their side lose 2-1 at Middlesbrough on the opening day. Ramos gave four players their debuts but £15.8million midfielder Luka Modric and £4.7m winger Giovani dos Santos, in particular, failed to shine.

Fans are also worried at the prospect of having Darren Bent as their only striker as Dimitar Berbatov looks set to join Manchester United.

But Ramos said: "It is all about a gentle settling in process. A lot of players have come from foreign countries and need some time to settle in here.

"Modric has never played outside the Croatian league and Dos Santos is only 19 years old.

"My message to the fans would be to remain calm. They shouldn't worry because it is a long season ahead. We know we need a forward but I reiterate, stay calm."

But the former Sevilla coach has confirmed that captain Ledley King is unlikely to play a full part this season due to his long standing knee injury. King claimed last week he would be fit enough to play three games a week and yet was on the bench last Saturday.

Ramos said: "He possibly was not right at the start of the season. We take it on a match-by-match basis and see if he is fit to play.

"His knee is not something you can predict a year ahead, you have to look at the short term. He has trained well without any negative reaction over the past two days so we will see if he plays against Sunderland tomorrow."