1 Tottenham forward Erik Lamela

Tottenham’s club record signing Erik Lamela admits he needs to adjust quickly to the physical demands of the Premier League if he is to keep his World Cup dream alive.

The Argentine forward has yet to start a league game for Spurs following his £30m move from Roma at the end of August.

Lamela has been forced to watch from the sidelines as Gylfi Sigurdsson has been one of the star performers for Tottenham in the early part of the season.

But the 21-year-old insists he is now coming to terms with English football and knows what is needed to cement his place in the Tottenham side, as well as ensuring he is playing for Argentina at the World Cup in Brazil next summer.

Lamela, speaking in Argentine newspaper Clarin, said: “English football is a lot more physical. It is not like the tactical game they play in Italy.

“I have talked a lot with my team-mates and I know I have to adapt quickly if I am to keep my place in the national team ahead of the World Cup.”