Spurs News: Benjamin Stambouli Ready For Sunderland

Spurs' new signing Benjamin Stambouli has spoken out about the hard work he and the other players have put in to training as the team continue their preparations for the return to Premier League action against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The combative French midfielder signed for Spurs from Montpellier for £4.7 million just prior to the transfer window slamming shut, and he trained with the full squad for the first time on Thursday, as the club's international players returned from their duties with their national sides. Stambouli could be in-line to make his debut for the Lilywhites on Saturday, as he is expected to start alongside fellow Frenchman Etienne Capoue in defensive midfield, with Nabil Bentaleb dropping out. He had this to say to Spurs official website about the situation:

I have a lot of energy and I have to be focused on my work to play well and not to be too excited like a child! I€™m very happy. The training has been hard and we€™ve worked a lot with a lot of intensity. It€™s been good for my preparation to play for Spurs. I have to continue to work hard to be ready and to be at the same level as the rest of the team.

Stambouli could be joined in the starting line-up by centre back Federico Fazio - a fellow new signing who would also be making his debut - as Spurs look to shore up a defence that leaked 51 goals last season and showed signs of frailty last time out in a 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool. Does Stambouli's attitude impress you? Is he likely to start against Sunderland? What will he bring to the Spurs team if he plays? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. And please feel free to follow me on Twitter!