South Africa captain is confident his opportunity will come in the first team at White Hart Lane and has no plans to reassess his future if he cannot regain a regular place
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Steven Pienaar has insisted that he does not regret rejecting Chelsea for Tottenham despite a “depressing” period on the sidelines “getting money for nothing”.
The South Africa captain, who was an unused substitute in Spurs’ 3-1 win at Fulham last Sunday as he continues his recovery from groin surgery, has started only two matches for the club in the last eight months but has no plans to reassess his future.
“It's depressing,” Pienaar said. “The team is playing well and getting results, which is satisfying. But if you're not playing you don't have a hand in helping the team and as a player you always want to be part of a team that's doing well. If you're not part of it, it's like getting your money without doing anything.
“If you get injured so early in your new club career it's always bad. A lot of players have gone through it. You can only work hard and be mentally strong so that you can fight for your place.”
Nevertheless, Pienaar, 29, has no regrets about turning down a move to Stamford Bridge last January and insists he will not look to leave if he struggles to break back into the Spurs team.
He explained: “I signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. If it's not working out this season I'll just have to wait until next season. That's part and parcel of football.
“You just have to keep on going and don't give up. I don't regret turning down Chelsea at all. I turned Chelsea down for personal stuff.”
Pienaar sustained a groin injury in Tottenham’s final pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao and his recovery was then aggravated by a stomach injury.
“I've been working hard for the last two months and I feel good,” he said. “There's a little nip of pain that I have to overcome but I'm feeling good and I'm happy that I can get on the field again.
“The stomach muscle has been holding me back for a while. I just have to push through the pain barrier and get on with it. It's been going OK so far and it will get better the more I'm on the field.
After losing their opening two Premier League games of the season, Spurs have put together a remarkable run of seven wins in their last eight league matches and would climb within a point of second-placed Manchester United if they win their home fixture in hand against Everton.
Spurs have barely changed their starting line-up in the league but Pienaar believes his opportunity will come.
“Yes definitely,” he said. “There are a lot of games this season and you just have to be patient. There's no way the team will perform at that level for the whole season. You just have to wait. You don't wish anyone to get injured, so I'll just have to wait for my chance and I believe it will come.
“The coaching staff have told me I have to get fit, that I've been unlucky with injuries. They believe in me and I believe in myself.
“When you're injured you have to keep fighting and working hard, and be patient. When your opportunity does come you have to prove yourself again and make sure you hold onto your place.”
Tactically, Pienaar believes he can play in any number of midfield positions and does not regard himself as a direct challenger for Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon on the flanks.
If the shirt fits | Pienaar models the new South Africa kit alongside the likes of Samuel Eto'oHe said: “I can play anywhere across the midfield. I'm most effective on either side, as long as I'm not stuck out wide.
“I can stay in the middle, but don't want to be stuck out on the line. I'm not an out and out winger.”
Pienaar believes Spurs could be on the verge of building something special although he regards a Champions League position as a more realistic ambition than challenging the two Manchester clubs for the title.
He explained: “Our goal is to get back into the Champions League and we need to take it step by step. Definitely, [Spurs can do it]. They've done it two seasons ago. The way we're going we can definitely finish in top four.
“Newcastle are in good form, Chelsea.....it's going to be a season with a surprise in it. If we keep winning we can qualify for the Champions League.
“Every team will have a moment where they dip. The way that Man City are going they look unstoppable. We're only one point off Man United if we win our game in hand. It depends how the team is playing, we can even be not far away from City.
“Man United started the season on fire and everyone was talking about them. Then they lost to Man City and now people are saying they're not doing well.”
Tottenham have not finished above Arsenal in the league since 1995 but Pienaar believes they can finally end this run.
He added: “We don't speak about it but of course you want to finish above your neighbours. It's a good feeling.
“Hopefully the way things are going we should stay where we are, Arsenal should stay below us and we finish above them. Then it will feel good walking around north London.
“We can definitely finish above them. We both have good squads, we just have to keep winning our games. If we finish above them it will be great for the club, supporters and players.”
Asked about whether Spurs need to replenish their squad in January, Pienaar said: “That's not up to me. I don't know what players the manager has in mind.
“You need quality players in your team and need to get players in to improve the squad. But it's not up to me.”
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