Given has been learning Spanish in an effort to improve his communication with a new defence which also includes the former Villarreal full-back José Enrique.

But the Irishman only managed to confuse Cacapa, who scored with a second-half header against Spurs, when he tried to put the lessons into practice.

"A few of the new lads don't speak much English so I've been trying to learn Spanish to help communicate with them," Given said.

"Unfortunately I tried to speak to Cacapa in Spanish as I'd forgotten they speak Portuguese in Brazil. He just gave me a blank look; I don't think he was very impressed. It wasn't my finest moment."