Steven Pienaar prepared to be patient for Spurs chance

'Depressing': but Steven Pienaar is determined to prove his worth
11 April 2012

Steven Pienaar admits his inability to contribute to Tottenham's march up the Premier League has been "depressing", but knows his chance will come.

Pienaar has been blighted by injury since his January arrival at White Hart Lane with an abdominal muscle complaint the latest setback.

The 29-year-old has been limited to just one appearance this season, in the Europa League last Thursday, and watched Sunday's 3-1 defeat of Fulham from the bench.

Tottenham sit on the brink of the top four and Pienaar accepts that breaking into a team operating at full throttle will be difficult.

But the South Africa midfielder is determined to prove his worth.

"It's depressing. The team is playing well and getting results, which is satisfying," he said.

"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.

"But I will definitely get my chance. There are a lot of games this season and you just have to be patient. There's no way the team will perform at this 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.

"The guys are in good form and we're on a good run. 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."

Even if Pienaar fails to break into the Spurs line-up by the end of the campaign, he will remain at White Hart Lane.

"In January I signed a four-and-half-year contract," said Pienaar who rejected a move to Chelsea in favour of joining Spurs.

"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."

Pienaar was speaking at the launch of 10 new African team kits from PUMA, designed by an artist from each respective country. The kits, and works from each artist, will be on display at the Design Museum in November.

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