Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that Brad Friedel has been "excellent" in dealing with the goalkeeping situation at the club.

Friedel has been linked with a return to former side Blackburn Rovers in recent weeks following Villas-Boas's decision to play Hugo Lloris for the last five games.

"Brad's been excellent, I spoke to him and he has been such an important player," Villas-Boas told reporters. "Rotation has not been on performance, as I have explained before — as both keepers have been excellent.

"It gives me the ability at any time to throw a different keeper into the game. I don't know anything about Blackburn interest. We are trying to hold on to our best assets."

Friedel is expected to start for Spurs in Thursday's Europa League clash with Panathinaikos at White Hart Lane.