Pavlyuchenko keen to stay

Roman Pavlyuchenko says he wants to stay at Tottenham despite his concerns about a lack of first-team starts under manager Harry Redknapp.

Pavlyuchenko scored 14 goals last term, making him the club's second-highest goalscorer, but was regularly overlooked throughout the campaign, with Rafael van der Vaart and Peter Crouch being Redknapp's first-choice pairing.

Pavlyuchenko has been linked with a return to the club which he left to join Spurs, Spartak Moscow, but he says he sees his future at Tottenham, telling Sport Express: "There is a strong desire to pursue a career in Tottenham, with whom I have a contract."

He added:"A new contract will be discussed after the holidays - my agent will travel to London to hold talks with the leaders of Tottenham."

Redknapp admitted after the striker scored both goals in Sunday's 2-1 over Birmingham that he was enamoured with Pavlyuchenko's talent, but equally frustrated with his lackadaisical attitude.

The 64-year-old maintains he has a good relationship with Pavlyuchenko but the Russian admits he is frustrated about not playing every week.

"He (Redknapp) can play one team one week, and then play a very different team the next. It is hard to understand," said Pavlyuchenko.

Pavlyuchenko's double against Birmingham meant Spurs ended up fifth in the league, one place below the previous season's finish.

He thinks that the club can bounce back next year and finish inside the top three.

"I don't think we can become champions because Manchester United are strong but we certainly are able to take a place in the top three," he said.