SAM Ricketts believes the point gained at Sunderland could yet prove priceless in the relegation run-in.

Kevin Davies’s brace ensured Owen Coyle’s men didn’t come back empty-handed from the Stadium of Light, even though the balance of play suggests they should have taken more.

But Ricketts was not too disheartened, and reckons it was vital to maintain momentum heading into Wednesday night’s home encounter with Spurs.

“It’s another point to keep us ticking over and it could prove vital towards the end of the season,” he said. “It keeps us within that three points of jumping above a few sides.

“Spurs has become a huge game. They have been on a little sticky patch after going out of the semi-final, a bit like us last year.

“It’s important for us to impose ourselves on our home ground and to win the game. It’s our chance to overrun the sides around us and they’ll all be looking at it hoping we get beat. It’s important we give them something to worry about.”

Ricketts hailed Davies, who has risen to the fore in the last two games after a season spent struggling for form and opportunity.

“He really put in a performance,” the defender said. “Obviously his two goals capped it off, but his workrate was the main thing and the trouble he caused their centre-halves is what Kevin is all about.”

Including the game abandoned after 41 minutes because of Fabrice Muamba’s collapse at White Hart Lane, this will be the fourth time that Wanderers have played Spurs this season.

The North Londoners have never won a Premier League game at the Reebok – and with a packed out crowd on their side, Ricketts insists there is room for optimism.

“There’s pressure on the game, Spurs have been one of the best sides this season – they have got pace and power right through the side, but we fancy ourselves. We’ve beaten Liverpool at home and there’s no reason why we can’t beat Spurs.

“We’ve faced them a fair few times, beat them 4-2 at home last year, so we’ll have to replicate that.

“We know our destiny is in our own hands and if we keep picking points up like we have been doing, we’ll still be in the Premier League next year.”