Tim Sherwood has backed Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado to come good for Spurs despite the Spanish striker's disappointing start to life in the Premier League.

Soldado, who cost Tottenham around £26m in the summer, has scored 10 goals in 24 appearances for the North London club but only five have come in the league, of which four have been penalties.

"He is a confident lad when it comes to scoring goals, and scoring goals is something he has done all is career," Sherwood said.

"All strikers have barren spells. I'm sure one goal will open the floodgates.

"There isn't a striker in the game who hasn't gone through a lean spell at some time or other, but he is a top lad who trains really well and it won't be long before something falls his way.

"One will come off his backside, and it will turn it all around. That's what happens for strikers, it's a confidence thing."

He added: "He is trying really hard, and I've no worries about him.

"I am quite sure he is not worried by what other people think of him. He's got to be professional in these situations and get on with his job, and that's what he is doing.

"To be fair, when you arrive from another country and a different league, it takes a while to get used to.

"But I am confident he can be a striker for Tottenham for many years and score loads of goals."