Jan Vertonghen hopes Basel defeat will make Tottenham stronger in push for top-four

Spurs battling for Champions League qualification

Jan Vertonghen (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen believes his side must get over their defeat to Basel in the Europa League if they are to renew their challenge for a Champions League place when they play Manchester City on Sunday.

Tottenham are in fifth position in the league, level on points with Chelsea who have a game in hand, and one point behind Arsenal with six fixtures remaining.

"We have to stay together and to go for that top four place in the Premier League," said Vertonghen.

"We have a rest, we clear our heads and we come back against Manchester City.”

Tottenham have been on a poor run of late, having taken just four points from their last four Premier League games and are in need of a boost if they are to achieve their target of getting into the top four.

"A lot of players could be coming back, important players and we only have big games now, City, Chelsea, all cup finals. We go for the highest place possible," Vertonghen told tottenhamhotspur.com

Losing on penalties to Basel in a game where the Belgian was sent off was dispiriting, but Vertonghen believes it could be help their development as a team: "You could see there was a team together on the pitch, we really fought for each other for 120 minute. I hope it makes us stronger."