Walker in the ‘right state of mind’ to figure for Spurs

But the Tottenham manager has no plans to drop his former Sheffield United right-back because he inhaled the legal gas.

Last weekend a Sunday newspaper published pictures of Walker inhaling nitrous oxide – a legal but dangerous high – earlier this summer.

The gas, also known as “hippy crack”, is widely available and legal, but can cause respiratory problems and even death.

Walker spoke to Villas-Boas about the issue earlier this summer and he promised the Tottenham manager that he would not do it again.

“The player has assumed the responsibility of having failed to set an example, which I think is something that is honourable, but you wouldn’t expect him to do it again,” said Villas-Boas.

“He accepted the responsibility of having failed as a role model towards young people and I don’t think we will see the incident again.

“He has assured me before (that he won’t do it again).”

Walker spoke publicly of his regret at inhaling the gas last weekend and he also apologised to England manager Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson accepted the apology and played the Spurs right-back in the two games against Moldova and Ukraine.

Villas-Boas has no doubts about selecting the 23-year-old for Spurs’ game against Norwich tomorrow.

“He seems in the right state of mind,” the Portuguese added.

“He told me he was in the right state of mind for England as well, so I see no issue there.”

Norwich chief Chris Hughton all but ruled himself out of the Republic of Ireland job and insisted that he wants to repay the Canaries for their faith in backing him in the summer transfer window.

Hughton has been linked with the Irish job vacated by Giovanni Trapattoni following the Republic’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Austria.

Hughton, who was born in England but qualified to play for the Republic through his mother, played 53 times as full-back for Ireland between 1979 and 1991. He also served as the national team’s assistant manager under Brian Kerr from February, 2003 to October, 2005.

Hughton, however, steered Norwich to Premier League survival last season and brought in eight players over the summer, including Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, at a cost of around £25m.

Hughton, who has been linked with the Irish job along with others such as Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane – and Leeds boss Brian McDermott – said: “I understand my name has been mentioned along with other previous players for Ireland. It is absolutely just speculation.

“I am manager of Norwich, I am extremely happy here. We spent and invested more this summer than we ever have done. I have had support from the board here.

“I have a group of supporters who are fanatical and want this team to do well and I have the same challenges here as the supporters and the players have. I am incredibly happy here. There has been no official approach. We are a club I would like to think which is going in the right direction.”

Hughton was coy on whether he would like to manage the Republic some time in the future, not wanting to fuel any conjecture before Norwich face his former club Spurs at White Hart Lane.

“I can only answer questions to the appropriate people which is why my decision is to talk about how happy I am here at Norwich,” said Hughton.