Spurs will play 59 games this season after their cup runs but failure to end their eight-year trophy drought means they need a top-seven finish in the Barclays Premiership to secure UEFA Cup football.

If they finish outside the top seven, boss Martin Jol will have his players back in pre-season training in June rather than July to prepare for the Intertoto Cup.

Jol's men can guarantee UEFA Cup football by winning their last four games of the season, starting with tomorrow's trip to Middlesbrough where King will look to keep strikers Viduka and Yakubu quiet.

"On their day Middlesbrough can cause problems for any team, the two up front in particular can be the best pairing in the league when on song," said the Spurs skipper.

"They played very well against Manchester United and will be confident about their chances, but if we can keep the front two quiet we will have every reason to be confident over ours."

Boro took a point off leaders Manchester United last weekend when Viduka scored, taking advantage of Rio Ferdinand picking up a groin injury.

England boss Steve McClaren is hoping his defenders such as Ferdinand will be fit for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia, and if King gets a call-up it will give him even less time to prepare for next season.

"Certainly the players are aware of the fact that a top-seven finish would see us not having to come back early," said Spurs assistant boss Chris Hughton.

"All the lads' efforts and all the talk is about finishing in that top seven."

King, 26, is only just returning from feet problems and Spurs have not lost in the two games he has been back for, even though he admitted he was not match-fit for his comeback against Sevilla.

"Physically it's going to be demanding on him but he is an experienced player and his presence will be big over the last few games," added Hughton.

At the other end of the pitch, Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe have 55 goals for the club between them this season.

Keane is the in-form striker at the moment and will be up against Jonathan Woodgate, who signed a permanent deal with Boro earlier in the week.

"He is a tremendous player so they have got a lot of quality," said Keane on tottenhamhotspur.com.

"It will be tough, but we have got a lot to play for and we know how important these games are for us."

Boro have only won once in their last 10 games - they also beat West Brom on penalties but were level after 120 minutes - but are virtually assured of safety.

Victory over Spurs will make absolutely certain of survival in Gareth Southgate's rookie season as a manager, a campaign where he was allowed to continue as boss despite not having the required UEFA Pro Licence.

"In Gareth's situation they saw that it was right to give him an extension," said Hughton, who has the required qualifications if he were to become a top-flight manager. "Certainly the qualifications that are in place are good for the game."