Spurs currently occupy fourth position in the Barclays Premier League after a promising start to the season and are among a clutch of clubs trying to break into the Champions League places.

Their rivals include Saturday's opponents Aston Villa as well as Everton and Manchester City who are also on the fixture horizon before Christmas.

There is also a Carling Cup re-match with Manchester United next week and Defoe is relishing the upcoming matches.

The England striker is in fine form after scoring five goals against Wigan Athletic last weekend and he says confidence is currently sky high in the Spurs camp.

more goals

He said: "Christmas this year for me is about getting more goals and staying in that top four.

"It's the busiest time and I always like this time of the year, especially if the team is doing well.

"All the lads are buzzing - we've had one or two indifferent results, but have picked up again and that has been really good to see.

"It helps when you've got the rest of the team scoring. Tom Huddlestone is in great form... I said to him the other day 'I bet you go to the World Cup', and we've got Jermaine Jenas doing some good stuff from midfield too.

"It's the most excited I've been and we can really show people we mean business over the course of the next month."

Defoe is currently leading the race for the Golden Boot with 11 goals and the Spurs striker looks set to be part of England's World Cup squad in South Africa.