Roman Pavlyuchenko says his winner against West Ham won't do his first team chances any harm and he is determined to fight for a spot.

The Russian has been in and out of Harry Redknapp's starting line-up in his debut season at White Hart Lane despite scoring 14 times in 32 matches in all competitions.

After coming on as a substitute and scoring the winner against the Hammers on the weekend, Pavlyuchenko is confident he can win more starting berths.

"When you are on the bench for five games in a row, when the press are getting to you, to come off the bench and score straight away is incredibly important," Pavlyuchenko told Russian newspaper Sport Express.

"The goal will certainly give me strength for the battle for a place in the team.

"My belief that I would definitely get my chance encouraged me. I had to keep myself fit and in form so as not to miss it.

"I needed that goal like never before - even more so as it was the winner."