Parker delighted to be back after lengthy lay-off

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker is convinced he has finally put his injury torment behind him and is determined to help the club challenge for a Champions League place this season.

Parker, 32, started his first club game for eight months in Spurs’ 3-0 FA Cup win over Coventry at White Hart Lane on Saturday, following his recovery from an Achilles injury sustained while on international duty for England at Euro 2012.

Despite making a return to action last month, Parker has been forced to watch from the substitutes bench as Mousa Dembele and Sandro have become the first-choice pairing at the heart of the Tottenham midfield.

But the experienced midfielder is now determined to regain the form which saw him play such a key role for the club last season and help Andre Villas-Boas bring Champions League football back to White Hart Lane.

Parker said: "I am absolutely delighted to be back. The main thing for me on a personal level is that I got through it alright and feel good.

"It has been a while but I have had a few development games and getting some minutes under my belt.

"I have not had a pre-season but I am trying to get up to fitness but hopefully I have turned a corner and can push on now.

"The team is doing very well. The Christmas period is always an important time but I think we have done brilliant and we are looking very good.

"We are on a very good run at the moment and we need to continue that."