The 27-year-old is reluctant to make excuses for his errors since arriving from PSV Eindhoven for £7.8million in the summer - but admits his confidence was dented by his fitness problems.

Gomes found himself coming for every ball in the penalty area rather than trusting his centre-backs to clear, leading to boss Harry Redknapp appointing Tony Parks as goalkeeping coach to work with the Brazilian.

The result has been back-to-back clean sheets - against Blackburn and NEC Nijmegen - and the next task is Everton in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

"My injury is now better," Gomes said. "That was a big problem but it is much better now.

"It gives you more confidence as a goalkeeper because when every ball came I was thinking whether I should go or stay because the injury was a problem."

Parks and Academy goalkeeping coach Perry Suckling have also been telling Gomes to shout clearly at the team-mates who could barely look at him when he made a crass error against Fulham a fortnight ago.

"The communication is better and I understand the defenders," Gomes said.

Against NEC in the 1-0 UEFA Cup win that virtually put Spurs through to the knockout stages of the competition, Gomes saved smartly at a crucial period of the game when his side were defending their lead.

After his clean sheet, Gomes had a smile back on his face.

"I like to smile," he said. "I am happy about the last two games. Clean sheets are very important for goalkeepers.

"I am very strong in my heart and that helped so much.

"It's not an excuse but the team did not start well this season and that is not good for the goalkeeper or for anyone.

"For goalkeepers it is a more difficult situation. I know I'm a good goalkeeper. The time now is very important for me and the people who have helped me so much are very important."

Redknapp is one the people who have helped him, telling Gomes he has faith in his ability. Spurs may bring in cover during the January transfer window but Gomes is still first choice for the Spurs boss.

"Every time he said 'I believe in you, I know you well and watched many games in Holland and in the Champions League'," Gomes said. "This was very important for me. I'm very happy here and know I had a bad time - I started well, after my injury it was bad but now it is good again and I have confidence."

Gomes will be in goal against Everton, while Ledley King may be back after being rested for European action.

Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko are in contention after being cup-tied against NEC, but Luka Modric (groin), Giovani dos Santos (ankle) and Alan Hutton (foot) are out.

Jermaine Jenas could have played against NEC with an injection in his toe but Redknapp preferred to rest him for the Everton clash at White Hart Lane.