Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker believes Spurs' defensive unit has played a key role in the club's rise to fourth place in the Premier League this campaign.

Spurs have conceded the equal-fewest number of goals of any team in England's top flight this season and are well-poised to push for a Champions League spot.

Walker believes the solid defensive form is down to the competition for spots in the back four.

"Toby Alderweireld has been a real good signing for us. He and Jan Vertonghen play together for Belgium," Walker said at an event for marathonbet.co.uk.

"I've known Danny Rose for a while now.

"Hugo Lloris is a top goalkeeper and there is good quality competition behind us. That's not just the back four.

"I've known Tripster (Kieran Trippier) playing with England's Under-19s. He is keeping me on my toes which is good for me as he is pushing me to become a better player.

"You've also got the likes of Kevin Wimmer and Ben Davies behind them and Eric Dier has stepped into the midfield now but he can quite happily slip back in.

"So it's a good, strong defensive unit. It's something we've been working on in training, the sliding, keeping compact as a team and ensuring the full-backs stop the crosses.

"Its looking okay. I still think we can tweak a few improvements because nobody is perfect.

"But I still think we are going in the right direction again to becoming a strong defensive back five with the keeper. We are learning off each other."