Young-Pyo insists: I can hold off Bale challenge and keep my place at Spurs

Lee Young-Pyo is determined to compete with Gareth Bale for a place in Tottenham's starting XI next season.

Spurs will pay Southampton up to £10million for 17-year-old Bale, and Lee believes the Wales international will create healthy competition at left-back.

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"This is the Premier League and such a degree of competition is inevitable if you wish to be part of the starting line-up," said South Korea defender Lee.

"He is a good player and will make our team only better, so I welcome his addition."

Spurs played 59 games last season as they competed on four fronts, and boss Martin Jol is hoping to have a bigger squad to utilise for the new campaign.

Jol has talked about rotating his squad for cup competitions, which would keep players such as Lee involved during the season.

Lee's current aim is to recover from knee surgery which ended his season at the start of April, and the 30-year-old has a chance to play for his country in the Asian Cup in July.

He added: "I thought I was playing well before the knee injury. I am recovering quickly and the rehab is going well.

"However, I will not rush things and play before I could perform at my normal level.

"The doctors who did the surgery on my knee and made my rehab program will have the finally say on whether I can play at the Asian Cup."

Meanwhile, Spurs are among the clubs linked with Sporting Lisbon winger Nani.

The 20-year-old Portugal international is believed to have a clause which would see him leave for £13.5million.