Michael Dawson issues Tottenham warning ahead of Champions League showdown

25 August 2010 15:35
Michael Dawson has warned Tottenham not to 'blow it' in their £30million Champions League shootout. [LNB]Spurs face Young Boys at White Hart Lane tonight as they attempt to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the play-off first leg in Switzerland. [LNB]Follow Spurs v Young Boys live from 7.30pm Ready for battle: Michael Dawson (centre) trains with Tottenham yesterday[LNB]Tough test: Harry Redknapp[LNB] If they bounce back to knock out the Swiss side, Harry Redknapp's men will book their place in the lucrative group stage of the Champions League. [LNB]And in the build-up to the big kick-off, Dawson - who should partner Ledley King at the heart of the defence - has issued a massive rallying call as they bid for a first ever appearance in Europe's elite competition. [LNB] The England defender said: 'It's massive, the biggest game I've beeninvolved in, definitely. It was a huge game over in Switzerland, but this is even bigger.[LNB]'It's all or nothing, really. We've had some big games of late but the reward if we win this game is to go into the group stages of the Champions League and that's where we all want to be.[LNB] 'We put so much effort into finishing fourth last season and we don't want to blow it now. We're so close. [LNB]'We're at White Hart Lane, the fans will be right behind us, as always, and European nights are always special. This could be  something else though.[LNB] 'There's not much more I can say. It's up to us to go out there, play as well as we know we can and try to win it.' [LNB]Jermain Defoe will play through mounting pain for an hour as he attempts to fire Tottenham through.[LNB] Redknapp will play him for 60 minutes at most at White Hart Lane as Spurs attempt to cash in on qualification.[LNB] If Spurs progress, they will join Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in Thursday's draw in Monaco. [LNB] Nervous night: Dawson will come up against Henri Bienvenu once again[LNB]Redknapp said: 'I think that this could be the night for Defoe to come back with a bang and start scoring a few. But 60 minutes is about as much as he can last.[LNB]'He wants to play and train but he has got to have the operation done now - the pain is getting worse each time.'[LNB]Defoe said: 'I've had this problem for a few months. I've worked with the physios to try to strengthen it and get myself out there to help the team. If it means coming off after 60 minutes then so be it. I always try to give myself the best opportunity to play.'[LNB] Hour of need! Brave Defoe to defy injury in Tottenham's £30m Champions League bidTottenham striker Defoe out to change script in Champions League crunchSchool of (no) hard knocks: Bale was excused from rugby for being skinny... TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC

Source: Daily_Mail