The Spurs boss responded to suggestions he was told to field Dimitar Berbatov against Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday, when the Bulgaria striker scored in the 3-3 draw.

"I can swear that it didn't happen," said the Dutchman. "It's the same if you told my wife I'm gay. You'd have a big laugh.

"Nobody can change my mind or tell me what to do. Even the chairman would have a good laugh about it."

Berbatov's ongoing groin complaint means he could be on the bench for the UEFA Cup last-16 second-leg clash against Braga tomorrow, although Jol insists he will make the final decision.

Jol also stressed he has a healthy relationship with the Spurs board but is adamant that only assistant boss Chris Hughton or development coach Clive Allen have any influence on the team he selects.

"I love the board members," he added. "They love me, we're good, getting on.

"They can talk about football. Even the chairman, he knows nothing about football but of course he has an opinion. I love to talk about football - after the game."

Regardless of whether Berbatov is rested, the importance of the £10.9million summer signing has been highlighted in Spurs' recent revival when they won their last five games before drawing at Stamford Bridge.

After a slow start to his White Hart Lane career, he has now taken his tally to 17 goals this season and also scored in each group game of Spurs' UEFA Cup campaign.

Spurs defender Pascal Chimbonda believes Berbatov can eventually have a similar impact in the Premiership as Thierry Henry or Didier Drogba.

"The great thing is that he is young and is learning all the time," said the France international. "He's developing into an even better player."

Last season saw Michael Carrick have a similar influence on the Spurs team - albeit from midfield and in his second season at the club - before leaving for Manchester United.

Jol has said before that Berbatov could play for any team in Europe but he does not expect the striker to leave White Hart Lane despite the glowing praise he has earned since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.

"He's still got four years left on his contract," said Jol. "We only did it once in my time here that we sold a player like that, that was Carrick, that was a problematic time but we went on."

The problem of when to play Berbatov has arisen from Spurs' run in cup competitions this season.

They remain in the FA Cup, with a replay against Chelsea in the quarter-finals next Monday after a Premiership clash against Chelsea on Saturday.

They also reached the last four of the Carling Cup final and have had to contend with injuries to key players at various stages in the campaign.

Ledley King has been out since Boxing Day with foot problems, while Ricardo Rocha is cup-tied for the Braga clash and Anthony Gardner has been ruled out for six weeks with a hairline fracture to his fibula. Chimbonda is likely to move to centre-back.

Despite their selection concerns, Spurs remain in the hunt to end their eight-year trophy drought or even complete a cup double.

"It's not realistic because it hasn't happened before over the last 20 years but that is what we want, that is why we're still competing now," said Jol.

Chimbonda added: "When you play you just want to win every game, we want to win both cups and that's what we will go for."