Ange Postecoglou is delighted to welcome Yves Bissouma back to the squad for Sunday's trip to Manchester City, but admits Tottenham need to improve their discipline.
Bissouma is available again after serving a one-match ban against Aston Villa after receiving five yellow cards before the halfway point of the Premier League season.
The former Brighton midfielder has enjoyed an excellent start to the new season but has made just three appearances since being sent off for two bookings at Luton in early October.
Bissouma is not the only one who misses matches due to suspension, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie are also seeing red this season.
'I'm very happy to have Biss back. He is such an important part of our set-up, the way he plays that role,” Postecoglou said.
Ange Postecoglou has told his Spurs stars that their discipline must improve this season
The boss is delighted to welcome Yves Bissouma back to the squad after serving a suspension for collecting five yellow cards. He was also sent off against Luton this season.
Cristian Romero was also shown a red card this season for a tough challenge against Chelsea
'If you look at the first third of the season I think we are still on the positive side of the ledger from a results perspective.
'In terms of performance, I still think we are on the positive side of the ledger, even though we have had some disappointments, but one area we need to improve is discipline. He is part of that.
'That let us down in the first half of the year. Not just in terms of cards, but being really focused in our approach and these are the things we need to learn as a team.
'I'm sure Biss is probably feeling a bit frustrated that he had such a great start and now it's been disrupted, but great to have him back. He will be very important for us, especially against a team like City.
'It's kind of a lesson for him and for us as a group. If you want things to run a little smoother, you have to be really disciplined in your approach and really focused on what you're doing.
“Hopefully he comes out of this knowing he can continue to be a really important part of our team, he needs that discipline and focus.”
Destiny Udogie has impressed for Tottenham but is another player to see red this season
Bissouma's return is welcome for Postecoglou, who remains without Pape Sarr (hamstring) and discovered this week that Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle) will be out until February
Spurs' absentee list has now reached double figures, adding to the odds that the visitors will upset City on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Tottenham boast an excellent record against the Premier League champions, even if he has previously played in a pragmatic manner, and Postecoglou knows his markedly different attacking approach will raise questions.
He added, “That's not a bad thing. That's a good thing. We need to be scrutinized. I need to be examined, I need to be interrogated. That's what tests my resolve.
'I'm not going to change, but bring it on. It doesn't just test me, it tests the players, it tests the club. How determined are we to do this?
“Look at all the top teams, they've all been through the process, been through the tough times. They've all been questioned, they've all been scrutinized, they've all been criticized.
“How did they handle it, those on the other side? Those who did things differently, where are they now?
“I have a very strong belief in what I do and where the team is going, and I will not deviate from that.
'There is a reason I am here and the reason is that the end game is not to beat City. If that's the end game, it's done.
“It's definitely a great achievement to topple them, but that's not why I'm here.
“I'm trying to put together a team to be successful.”