Spurs midfielder Paulinho says he is not "comfortable" with his role at White Hart Lane after falling down the pecking order under Tim Sherwood.

The Brazilian, signed for £17m from Corinthians in the summer, has only made six starts for Spurs since Sherwood was appointed in late December, the last of which came in the 1-1 draw at Cardiff on March 2.

"I always want to play," Paulinho told the Metro.

Left out of Sunday's 4-0 humbling at the hands of Liverpool, Paulinho continued: "I understand the team rotation because that’s how it works here, but I am not feeling well or comfortable. I want to be present, I want to play.

"The language is the most complicated thing as I am lazy about studying. I am learning little by little, but I don’t understand everything.

"The football language is easier, that’s not a problem on the pitch."

With the World Cup in his home country now just three months away, the Brazilian international will be hoping his lack of action with Spurs does not threaten his inclusion in Luiz Felipe Scolari's 23-man squad this summer.