Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has spoken to Michael Dawson after attempting to sell him off last week.

After a week of speculation over his future, defender Dawson was not even named among the substitutes for the draw with Norwich City and was taken to the side of the pitch two hours ­before kick-off for a heart-to-heart with assistant-boss Steffen Freund.

"I have had a chat with Michael and now he has to compete to play," said Villas-Boas.