Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby has revealed that he is currently enduring a "real up and down" spell at White Hart Lane.
Holtby has featured 19 times for Spurs this season, but with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench, the former Schalke 04 player has admitted that he is targeting a spell in the starting lineup.
The 23-year-old told BILD am Sonntag: "At this point in time, it's a real up and down for me in sporting affairs.
"There is big competition for a first-team spot and, although I have had rather rare appearances, I have gained nine assists and three goals so far this term, which is a good quota.
"I definitely want to be more involved in the starting XI."
Holtby was absent from Tottenham's 3-0 win over Stoke City on Sunday.