At the start of the season Roberts did not even have a squad number as Allardyce tried to offload the 33-year-old striker.

Roberts however forced his way back into the team and, following Allardyce's sacking, has been rewarded with a improved contract by new boss Steve Kean.

He said: "At the start of the season I was told I would never play for this club again and within six or seven games I was in there scoring winning goals.

"I went from not having a squad number to, by the time the old manager left, starting games with one up front. We didn't have the best of relationships but you have to remain focused on your ability and what you can do.

"The new manager has shown a lot of faith in me. Lots of things are changing and happening and there are exciting times ahead."

Roberts will face competition from two young forwards - 22-year-old Argentinian Mauro Formica and 19-year-old Spanish striker Ruben Rochina - signed by Rovers on Monday.

Neither will feature against Tottenham tonight but Kean claims that in Formica he has bought an Argentinian player in the style of the legendary Gabriel Batistuta.

He also revealed he used Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz to persuade the young player to choose the Lancashire town over the bright lights of Monaco.

Kean said: "I've seen him a number of times and he reminds me of a young Batistuta. He twists, he turns, he can score with left foot, his right foot, he can play as a main striker or even wide or in the hole.

"He's probably the most exciting, and one of the best, young players in Argentina.

"I found out that Mauro had followed Roque's career so I got Roque to give him a call and tell him a bit about the way we worked at the club and to consider coming to us instead of going to Monaco, and it paid off."

Kean watched Spurs get beaten 4-0 at Fulham on Sunday but is not expecting an easy ride tonight.

He added: "Sometimes when your opponents have a heavy defeat like that you are always wary of them being a bit angry and aggressive so we'll have to be on top of our game."

Santa Cruz will miss the match - he is out for a couple of weeks with a groin strain, and Ryan Nelsen and Gael Givet will have fitness tests before the game.