Ahead of Wednesday night's crunch clash at White Hart Lane, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has heaped praise on Chelsea hitman Diego Costa.

Costa has blazed a trail for the Premier League leaders with 14 goals for Antonio Conte's rejuvenated outfit this season.

The Blues are targeting a record 14th consecutive league win at Spurs HQ and Pochettino has singled out the fiery Chelsea striker ahead of the eagerly-anticipated encounter.

Diego Costa celebrates his late strike which sealed a 4-2 victory against Stoke City

'Diego Costa is a player who you hate when you face him but you love when he is your team-mate,' Pochettino told AS.

'He is super competitive, with character and never likes to lose. He is proud and that is what makes him to have that ability to improve every day.

'He transmits to his teammates the culture of winning, of not being satisfied, of always looking for more. He makes the rest better every day and he is someone anyone would want to have in his team.'

The fiery Blues striker has flourished under the guidance of Antonio Conte (left) this season

Tottenham will look to derail an in-form Chelsea side who have forged a five-point lead at the summit of the Premier League standings.

Pochettino's side are currently fifth but a victory over the league's pacesetters would see them break into the top four.

With star forwards Dele Alli and Harry Kane hitting top form in recent weeks, Spurs will be looking to make a big statement on Wednesday night.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has heaped praise on Chelsea's in-form forward

'Chelsea arrive in very good shape (and) us too after the last few games,' added the Argentine.

'It will be a very tough game and a great opportunity for us to try to stop them and try to reduce the gap.

'It's important, I think it's important for us and for the Premier League to try to win and try to stop them and reduce the gap.'