It may be that language difficulties have more to do with Nielson's absence from Spurs' first team than any talent deficit on the Dane's part.

He has shown commitment to the cause by taking a loan spell with Wolves to enable selection for the Danish side.

Nielsen is a tough-tackling left-sided midfielder with an unerring habit of scoring goals on big occasions: his winner in the 1999 Worthington Cup Final being a notable example.

His goalscoring record for Denmark is also good with seven goals from 32 international appearances, the most memorable being a debut goal against Armenia in 1995 within 60 seconds of his arrival.