Tottenham will be looking to collect maximum points from their last two fixtures and finish the season on a positive note.

That is the rallying call from boss Glenn Hoddle as he prepares to pick his team up from the disappointing defeat to title-chasing Manchester United on Sunday.

"We've got to make sure we finish on as high a note as we possibly can," Hoddle told the club's web site. "It is a case of us trying to get back to winning football matches.

"Every place is vital, we want to finish off with six points from the away game at Middlesbrough and the final game against Blackburn."

The Lilywhites' slim hopes of qualifying for the Uefa Cup were finally laid to rest over the weekend after Sunday's 2-0 defeat to United and Blackburn's win at Leeds.

And Hoddle admitted he will have to make further changes to his squad, after seeing central defender Dean Richards limp off the White Hart Lane pitch at the weekend.

Hoddle added: "Again we'll have to change the team for next week because of injury, but we have to try and finish as high as we can. That is very important."

On a brighter note, Christian Ziege came through 45 minutes of Monday's reserve game against Queen's Park Rangers unscathed. The Germany defender, who has recovered from a career-threatening thigh injury, also scored in his comeback, converting a cross from Jamie Redknapp.

April 30, 2003 20:00