Michael Dawson wants to make up for missing out on Carling Cup glory by ensuring Tottenham's Premier League campaign does not fizzle out.The 24-year-old defender had a hamstring injury when Spurs defeated Chelsea to end their nine-year trophy drought but made his comeback last weekend against West Ham.

He was on the bench against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday when Spurs crashed out of Europe on penalties, leaving them with little to play for in the remaining two months of the season.

Looking virtually assured of safety in 11th place, Dawson still wants to push on for a top-half finish in the league.

He is likely to get his chance against Manchester City on Sunday as captain Ledley King has a calf strain.

"Of course we now want to climb the table," Dawson said. "We've got great players and we're never going to be satisfied with winning one cup.

"It was a great achievement to win the trophy, full credit goes to the players at Wembley, but we realise we have to push on."

Dawson insists Spurs players will not be 'on the beach' for the remaining 10 games of the season.

"Every game we play, we take it as seriously as the last one," he said. "And it's up to us to get up that league.

"Before the Carling Cup, if you ask the players they were looking forward to the final. That's gone now."

Players are also looking to impress head coach Juande Ramos for the rest of the season as he assesses who he wants to keep over the summer.

The Spaniard has been linked with a host of names and the club could return for players they looked at in January.

They were interested in Lyon striker Fred at one point, while Juventus midfielder Tiago was also suggested as a possible target.

For the meantime, Ramos is focused on the last quarter of the campaign now Spurs are out of all the cups, and Dawson is raring to go after a month on the sidelines.

"When you've been out for a few weeks it's always nice to get a game under your belt," he added.

Assistant boss Gus Poyet admits the players will need lifting after levelling their tie against PSV but cruelly being denied on spot-kicks.

He was happy with the performance, but added: "The problem is we are a little bit down because we were not expecting to exit Europe at this ste.

"We have to recover and start thinking about the next games we have. There is not much you can say to them, just to keep going."

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