LONDON (AFP) - Juande Ramos has warned his Tottenham stars they are still playing for their futures as they prepare to face PSV Eindhoven in Thursday's UEFA Cup last 16 first leg clash.

Any Spurs player believing last month's League Cup final victory over Chelsea allowed them to rest on their laurels was quickly brought back down to earth by Ramos this week.

The Spanish coach was furious with the sloppy manner of his side's 4-1 defeat at Birmingham in their first match since the final and called a meeting to make it clear he wouldn't stand for a repeat.

Ramos joined his players in their champagne-sodden celebrations at Wembley but, as befits a man nicknamed 'granite face', he retains a sense of distance from the squad that will make it easier to root out the underachievers.

With that in mind, the visit of Dutch league leaders PSV to White Hart Lane represents the a much-needed chance for several players to re-emphasise their value to Ramos.

One man who shouldn't need to convince the manager of his ability is Irish striker Robbie Keane, whose 20 goals have played a key part in the club's resurgence.

"We had a meeting to say the League Cup was gone, we have to focus on the league and the UEFA Cup now," Keane said.

"The boss said, 'You're all playing for your future, for next season'. That keeps us all on our toes.

"I think with the squad we have now and the new staff coming in it's set up nicely for the next few years.

"But we have to achieve. It's okay winning the League Cup but we need to push on now. We have still got a lot to play for this season. Saturday was disappointing but we have still got the UEFA Cup."

While Keane's place is assured, goalkeeper Paul Robinson is far from certain to remain in north London beyond this season.

Robinson has suffered the indiginity of being dropped by club and country this season before returning to the team in time for the League Cup final.

He is likely to keep his place against PSV but knows a good performance is essential after assistant manager Gus Poyet revealed the club's interest in Espanyol's Cameroon keeper Carlos Kameni.

"It's a massive game and one all players want to play in. I'm sure we surprised a few people by winning the League Cup this season and there is no reason why we can't do the same in the UEFA Cup," Robinson said.

"PSV are a strong team and a massive club. They always do well in UEFA competitions, whether it's the Champions League or UEFA Cup. They are running away with their league again at the moment and we're expecting a very tough tie over two legs."

Ramos, who should welcome back Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate from injury, has grown used to success in the UEFA Cup after winning the competition for the last two seasons with Sevilla. But he will need Spurs to be at their best against a PSV team with plenty of European experience.

Although a 3-1 defeat against Utrecht at the weekend cut PSV's lead at the top of the Eredivisie to six points, Sef Vergoossen's team are good enough to believe they can end Ramos's winning run.