Moussa Dembele never considered Tottenham Hotspur exit

Resurgent Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has insisted that he never considered leaving despite his 'disappointment' over a lack of games last term.

The Belgian has looked a man reborn this season after emerging as a key figure in Spurs' midfield, starting eight of the Lilywhites 12 Premier League outings.

In March, the 28-year-old stated that he was left "very disappointed" over a shortage of games under Mauricio Pochettino, but Dembele insists that leaving never crossed his mind.

"Last year I played less so it is normal there are a lot of rumours. I told the club that they were not true," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"Of course I want to be more important for the team and I want to play more. I am not someone who, if I am not playing like last year, that I want to go quickly. They understand this.

"But it has never been in my mind to leave the club. I am very happy here, even last year when I was not playing I wanted to show I can play. I am not looking to leave Tottenham, I just want to be important for the team at the moment."

Dembele is likely to start at White Hart Lane on Sunday when the Lilywhites host West Ham United.