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Erik Lamela is finally loving his football and life in London after suffering a painful first season at White Hart Lane.

The Argentine playmaker , nickamed Coco, was Tottenham’s record £30m signing last summer as the club splashed the Gareth Bale cash.

But the former Roma star made only three Premier League starts and scored one goal as he struggled with hip and back injuries.

Now after a summer back home, the 22-year-old has returned on top of his game and came off the bench to lead Spurs to victory in their Europa League playoff against AEL Limassol.

Lamela oozed class in the No 10 role as he set up both goals in the 2-1 win to prove his own comeback is complete.

“I am enjoying my football again,” he smiled. “When I was injured, I was not good, I was not happy. I am happy to be playing football again and helping the team to win.

“To come on and help change the match against Limassol was great. We all went home happy.

“This season is a challenge for me because last season did not go as I had hoped with the injuries. But these are things you have to overcome and change yourself. I spent all my holidays over in Argentina with my family and friends. It was great. I now feel 100 per cent, without any injuries.

“You have not seen the best of me yet and you always have to improve. I don’t know how far I can go but I will try my hardest to make my team win.

“My aims this season are to train to the maximum and continue to improve as a footballer. I am still young. I think I can improve a lot but it depends on me. This season I want to help my team and my team-mates to reach our aims.”

(Image: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)

Lamela was signed during the AVB era and then made only three appearances under Tim Sherwood before his season ended in December. But after resisting the temptation to sell him back to Serie A, his new Spurs coach is fellow Argentine Mauricio Pochettino. “It is something that can help me but really, it depends on me,” he said. “It is all down to me what I do this season.”

Lamela is taking English lessons and is discovering the capital with his girlfriend and family.

“It is an incredible city where there is everything - I am liking it more and more,” he said. “Thanks to God, I am happy.”

QPR boss Harry Redknapp will make his first return to White Hart Lane since his 2012 sacking tomorrow (sun) - Pochettino reckons there are both Special Ones. The two share a past as former Southampton managers - and a birthday.

“He was born on the same day as me - March 2 - so he is a special person too like me!” joked Pochettino.

“I know about Harry Redknapp, I have full respect for him and he was too the manager of Southampton and Tottenham. I know about his birthday because we played on March 2 (2013) and he gave me a birthday present - a very good bottle of red wine. Very, very good.”