Edgar Davids has given Tottenham head coach Martin Jol a major boost by pledging his future to the club for a further year.
Davids has another season remaining on his current deal but the former Holland international was the subject of interest from Ajax during the summer.
At the end of last season, Davids admitted he was unsure whether the would see out the rest of his contract at White Hart Lane.
But Jol has confirmed that Davids, 33, is to stay at Tottenham after rejecting the opportunity to go back home to his first club.
Jol is convinced the veteran midfielder has a role to play as Tottenham search for honours at home and in Europe this coming season.
Jol said: "Ajax wanted him but he wanted to stay here. He has got another year, he wants to be at Spurs. He likes London, there is no issue. He has the mentality we need."
However Tottenham's chase for Wigan right-back Pascal Chimbonda will end unless the Latics drop their £6million asking price.
Despite newspaper reports suggesting that Chimbonda will be a Tottenham player in the next 24 hours, it is understood the Londoners have now switched their attentions elsewhere.
Tottenham have informed Wigan they are not prepared to match the demands, and unless the Lancashire side revise their valuation of the wantaway right-back, the proposed deal is off.
Meanwhile Jol received more encouraging news after defender Anthony Gardner came through a 3-1 victory over Fisher Athletic in a pre-season friendly.
Gardner sustained a shin problem at the club's training camp in France in early July but he played 73 minutes against the Conference South outfit, now managed by former Tottenham defender Justin Edinburgh.
Fisher striker Steve Watts provided a physical and aerial test for Gardner who emerged untroubled as Jamie O'Hara's goal and a double from Andy Barcham gave a Tottenham XI a hard-earned victory.
Gardner said: "I was delighted to be back out there, getting my legs moving again in a game situation and getting my rhythm back.
"It's never ideal to have an injury in pre-season although I suppose getting it now is better than when the season has actually started. At least I can get some kind of fitness again before the start of the season.
"I feel good at the moment, had no problems injury-wise at Fisher and I'm raring to go now.
"It was such a disappointment when I got injured in the game at Aston Villa last season but that's football, it's the way things happen sometimes.
"I've done plenty of work over the summer to make sure my muscles are strong and hopefully I'll feature more next season."
