Hughton told the Spurs website: “Michael has been a real rock for us and in a period where we have had injuries and the blow of missing Ledley King for so long.
“We’ve also had Rocha unavailable for the UEFA Cup games, so we’ve needed that one consistent member and Michael has been that player.
“Apart from the fact that he’s played all those games, his level of performance over the season has been very, very high.
“Whenever an England squad is mentioned now, you are always wondering whether he’s going to be in it, and that’s testament to him.”
