Chris Hughton played a big part in former Tottenham Hotspur colleague Steffen Freund's life when the midfielder swapped Germany for north London 14 years ago.

Steffen Freund owes Chris Hughton a lot, but the German is determined to get one over on his former colleague when Tottenham travel to Norwich in the Capital One Cup tonight.

Spurs will book their place in the quarter-finals of the cup that Freund lifted in 1999 if they overcome Hughton’s Norwich at Carrow Road.

Andre Villas-Boas may not know much about Hughton’s time at White Hart Lane, but the 53-year-old played a big part in Freund’s life when the midfielder swapped Germany for north London 14 years ago.

Back then Freund barely spoke a word of English and he will forever be indebted to Hughton, then the club’s assistant manager, for helping him ease in to life in the English capital.

“He helped me a lot in the beginning,” said Freund, who then went on to enjoy five successful years at the club.

“My English is still not good enough now, but at that time I could not speak one word and he helped me.

“He helped me settle here in London and he helped me to play well for Tottenham. He is a fantastic person.

“He played 14 years for Tottenham Hotspur. He is a legend, and I am looking forward to see him on Wednesday, but of course I would love to beat him.”

Freund always had a feeling that Hughton would make it in to top-flight management.

“It is nice to see him as a successful coach now,” Freund said. “Of course as an assistant coach he was fantastic and was tremendous for the club for a long time.

“When you have a lot of experience in a big club like Tottenham one day you can become a top-class manager and I’m really happy for Chris.”

Meanwhile, Spurs forward Clint Dempsey still believes his team have enough to beat the Norfolk club.

“I saw the game against Villa. Norwich are a team that does have quality and a good work rate.

“We will have to go there, be sharp and put in a professional performance, but I feel that if we go there and play as we are capable of we will be fine.”