Luka Modric is excited about the new role Harry Redknapp has for him at Tottenham.

Modric has been influential in a more advanced role under Redknapp, and he also wants to beef up his physique to cope with the pace of English football.

"This is my best position where I like to play most," he said. "I'm happy to play there.

"In the future I will try to put on some weight and add strength but at the moment there are no problems with that.

"I never thought I won't be successful in England. But even after that bad start I was really confident. But the whole team lacked confidence from the beginning and now I think we can do much better and get better results."

Spurs have a history of midfielders who have become fans' favourites - and Modric wants to join the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Glenn Hoddle in that category.

"It's a big inspiration for me and we will try to play my best game so that in a year or in a couple of months the fans can love me like the other players," he said.

Redknapp wants to use Modric as the fulcrum of his side.

The Spurs boss said: "We have to build how we play around Modric. We have to use him and get him the ball because he can do something special.

"He has played on the world stage and there is no doubt he is an amazing talent and he has fantastic ability."