Jermain Defoe has insisted that Tim Sherwood is the correct man to lead Tottenham Hotspur despite the club's recent disappointments.

Spurs have lost ground on their rivals in the race for a spot in the top four and suffered a 3-1 defeat to Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at White Hart Lane on Thursday.

However, Defoe believes that the club need to keep faith with Sherwood following reports linking the club with Louis van Gaal.

"With Tim, training is brilliant. Training was sharp," Defoe, who joined Toronto FC from Spurs in February, told talkSPORT. "He's been at the club a long time. It means so much to him. You can see it in his eyes.

"It's important to have someone like that. It can't happen overnight. It takes time. He's the right man for the job."

Spurs return to Premier League action against rivals Arsenal on Sunday.