Spurs progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 3-1 victory (3-2 on aggregate) against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on Thursday (13.03.25) and the coach is eyeing a positive climax to the season now that he has many of his first-choice stars fit again.

Asked whether the team felt more like themselves, Postecoglou told a post-match news conference: "Yeah, well it's no coincidence. We're getting some of our key players back and of course we are [looking like ourselves]. We've got guys who are getting decent recovery between games and we can change the team a fair bit. Don't forget Sonny [Son Heung-Min] and Madders [James Maddison] didn't start at the weekend.

"We can do these things that allow us to prepare the team properly. We did look more like ourselves but we've still got levels to go, because I still think players like (Cristian) Romero, Micky (van de Ven) and Wilson (Odobert) and Dom (Solanke) and all these guys are still building their way up to match fitness and match sharpness.

"With the quarter-final being three-and-a-half weeks away, there's an opportunity for us to get these guys up to speed for that game."

Odobert netted his first goals for Spurs since joining the club in the summer and Postecgolou was full of praise for the winger.

The Australian manager said: "Super pleased for him as he's worked awfully hard.

"I was excited when we signed him. He's just one of these players who has the ability to take people on, find space and is a great technician.

"He came to a new club this year, big club, a big move for him, and it just hasn't worked out with no fault of his own because of his injury. It's been frustrating for me not to be able to showcase him. I know how much he can develop and that's just a starting point for him."