Clint Dempsey is confident he can start repaying the £6million Tottenham paid for him in the summer, following a difficult start to his career at White Hart Lane.

The 29-year-old has struggled to reach the heights that saw him score 23 goals for Fulham last season and a section of Spurs fans have voiced their frustration with his performances.

But Dempsey is starting to produce his best form after an injury lay-off over Christmas and he scored an 93rd-minute equaliser against Manchester United yesterday.

The American has now scored four goals in his last four games and wants to establish himself as a regular starter in the side while Emmanuel Adebayor is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Dempsey said: “I had a slow start to the season so it is good to be chipping in with goals and repaying the club for their belief in me.

“Ade is great player and he is going to be missed but when you get a chance to play, you want to stand up and take advantage of that opportunity.

“Everyone is fighting for spots and trying to get into this line-up because it is a difficult team to break into. Any time you get an opportunity to play, you just try to make sure that you take advantage of it.”

Adebayor could miss four games while on international duty with Togo, leaving Jermain Defoe as Tottenham’s only recognised striker during his absence.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas says he is unlikely to sign an attacker during this month’s transfer window and Dempsey senses an opportunity to hold down a starting position.

The United States international was used predominantly as an attacking midfielder during his five-and-a-half seasons at Fulham but has been used further forward this season and is beginning to relish his new role.

He said: “I have played most of the season in that position and I feel I am starting to feel more comfortable there. I have been on a good run of form but now it is about getting more goals and more assists.”

Dempsey has been a key figure in both games against United this season — he also scored the decisive third goal in Tottenham’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford, the north London club’s first win at Old Trafford since 1989.

“Before this season I had never scored against United and every time you score against a top club and help your team get points it feels great,” he added.

Yesterday’s draw moves Spurs four points clear of fifth-placed Everton, who travel to Southampton tonight, and seven points clear of Arsenal in the race for Champions League qualification.

Tottenham are unbeaten in seven Premier League games and have lost just one of their last 14 games since the 5-2 defeat at Arsenal in November.

Dempsey said: “We have a lot of quality in our side and a lot of belief in ourselves. We have been on a good run of form and if we keep putting in good displays, we will stay in the top four.”