Juande Ramos: Dawson and Woodgate could be fab Lions

Juande Ramos has urged his 'magnificent' Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate to prove they are the best English centre-back paring in the country.

Tottenham's Woodgate was called into Fabio Capello's first Three Lions squad in January weeks after his £7million switch.

And with captain Ledley King out for the rest of the season, Dawson can stake his claim for a first cap in next month's friendlies.

Spurs boss Ramos said: "They are two magnificent players. Dawson has to work as hard as he can for the team and put in some good performances and surely the national team manager will look at him."

With European football next season through the Carling Cup win, Spurs have little left to play for.

But Ramos, whose side face Wigan today, said he would not be experimenting with youngsters as he is still looking to improve on their current 11th place.

He said: "Tottenham need to finish as high up as possible and to do that we need to use the best players.

"It is very prestigious for the club to end up as high as possible."

And he warned his side not to pile on the weight during the summer break.

The Spaniard insisted: "It is advisable for them to come back in a state of physical fitness when they can start."