DORTMUND -- Kevin Wimmer insists he has not felt the pressure of deputising for Jan Vertonghen, and says he has learnt from Tottenham's Belgian centre-back duo.
Vertonghen, 28, started every one of Spurs' first 23 Premier League matches, forming a formidable partnership with compatriot Toby Alderweireld, before damaging his knee ligament in the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace in January.
Wimmer, 23, has since deputised, starting the last 10 matches having previously made just four appearances since joining from FC Koln in the summer.
The Austria international has performed admirably so far but will face a huge test when Spurs play Borussia Dortmund in Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg at the Westfalenstadion, where the Germans have scored 61 goals in all competitions this season.
Far from feeling the pressure of stepping into a side flying-high in the Europa League and Premier League, Wimmer says the transition has been made easy by his manager Mauricio Pochettino and his teammates.
"It was very important for me that over the whole season I trained every day with these guys. Toby and Jan are two top defenders, one of the best in the league. For me, it was perfect to train every day with them. I always tried to improve myself by looking at them, watching them in training and games to see what they're doing," Wimmer told a news conference.
"From the outside, the pressure is big but the staff, the gaffer, everybody gave me self-confidence so the pressure on myself was not that high. I always try to do what I can, I always try to give my best."
Having spent a season in Koln's first team before joining Spurs, Wimmer has previously faced Dortmund's danger man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored 26 goals in 29 appearances this season.
"Aubameyang, every time he gets space, he's dangerous," the defender added.
"He's a very fast player, very quick. I know him and it's never easy to play against strikers like him.
The Austria international said he was pleased to be back in Germany but he is in no doubt that he prefers the Premier League
"The English Premier League is the most attractive league in the world. I think the intensity in the Premier League is amazing -- much higher than in Germany. For me personally, it's more attractive to play in England."
"Our main focus is to do well in the Premier League and we also have a good chance in the Europa League."