Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood warned his players they are playing for their futures ahead of the tomorrow's Europa League tie against Benfica.

Spurs play the Portugese giants in the first leg at White Hart Lane before taking on Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday.

Sherwood questioned the team's character and guts after last weekend's defeat to Chelsea and the Tottenham head coach continued his hard-line stance.

"A lot of players are playing for their future," said Sherwood. "I've spoken with Daniel and I'm planning for next season, who I want to keep, who I want to bring in.

 

 

"I want players who want to play for the club and they've got between now and the end of season to show that. I don't think at any football club, any player should be doing the club a favour by playing for them.

"At any club, you'll see a lot of players all over Europe, all over the world, they think they've outgrown a club, that can't be the case. People pay money to watch clubs, it's in their blood, and I think players owe them 100 per cent.

"It annoys me when I do see those players who think they're doing a club a favour by representing them.

"The players are under no illusions now. No one's going to get preferential treatment because of what they're paid. I'm working with these players every single day, I know the DNA. I know the players I can trust and those I can't.

"The boys here have the opportunity to prove they want to stay. If they don't, we'll find replacements. The players are men. I'm a manager, not a baby-sitter."