Former PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink has jumped to the defence of Tottenham's calamity goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Hiddink told The Sun: "I'm very surprised to hear things have not been going so well but in his first six months at PSV he needed time to adapt.

"Football in Holland is very different from Brazil. He must be given some time in England where the game is different again. He is a world-class keeper.

"Gomes is not afraid and he has fantastic reflexes. He also commands his area.

"He was exceptional to help PSV win two titles and was almost single-handedly responsible for getting the club to the Champions League semi-final.

"Gomes was voted player of the year by the supporters and was a hero to them."