Fit Dawson ready to return

Michael Dawson is desperate to play a part in Tottenham’s title challenge after emerging unscathed from his comeback match on Saturday.

The centre-back, 28, has missed the previous four months with an Achilles injury but made a confident return to first-team action at White Hart Lane in Spurs 3-0 FA Cup victory over Cheltenham.

“It was nice to be back out there after so long in the treatment room,” Dawson said.

“It’s been a long while since I’ve been out at White Hart Lane and running out and playing so it’s a nice feeling to be back.”

“It’s never nice to be injured and with the way the team is playing, the lads are flying and credit to them. Long may it continue.”

“The squad’s been there and done well and everyone’s got to take credit for that.”

“It’s a squad game, Sandro and William (Gallas) are out now, players have to come in.”

“The players that were out on the pitch on Saturday – the gaffer’s rested 10 of the players that played in the last game. They all went out and performed, all credit to them.”

After the pivotal role Dawson played in the 2009/10 year that saw Tottenham qualify for the Champions League, he has spent a lengthy amount of time on the treatment table for each of the subsequent seasons – missing a portion of the last campaign with a knee injury.

He said: “I was out three months last year but went on to play lots of games.”

“Injuries are a hard time and when you come back, you need to go out there and perform to the best of your ability and do what you can.”

“I always back myself. It’s nice to get today out of the way. We have training on Monday and I look forward to it.”

“The lads have earned the right to be where they are and they deserve it. I’ll be looking forward to being part of it now, back injury-free.”

Dawson insisted that although the Premier League may be viewed as Tottenham’s priority, he had his sights set on a trip to Wembley.

“We were in the semi-final in 2010 and it’s great,” he said. “It’s the FA Cup, it’s special.”

“We put out a team today and went out and did a professional job.”

“A trip to Wembley would be amazing but you’ve got to earn the right to do that.”