White Hot Lines  

   Another transfer deadline day and here we go with all the news that was rumoured and that happened ...
   Giovani dos Santos has joined Racing Santander on loan until the end of the season.
   Early rumours had Spurs going for Fernando Llorente of Atletico Bilbao, Alvaro Negredo of Sevilla, Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid and Giuseppe Rossi of Villarreal.  A rumoured bid of £38.5 million for Aguero was turned down and the player later signed a new contract with Atletico Madrid that afternoon.  A bid of £30 million was being rumoured for former Manchester United man Rossi and it was said that the offer for Llorente was £33 million.
   Spurs were back in for Everton captain and defender Phil Neville, but had their bid turned down again.
   Another striker in Spain linked with Spurs was Diego Forlan, who Tottenham were believed to be showing an interest in, but Atletico Madrid were again less than willing to let him go.  The bid for Forlan was said to be £17 million.
   Tottenham's attempt to make a late move for Andy Carroll proved fruitless, as the Newcastle United striker moved to Anfield for £35 million once he knew Liverpool were interested in him.
   The Daily Mail reckoned that Spurs had targeted West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker, after having a £10 million offer rejected on Sunday night.
   A late, late bid for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam failed, when the Seasiders rejected the move.
   Former Spurs loan striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is to join Fulham on loan until the end of the season from Stoke City.
   Former Spurs midfielder Andy Reid has left Sunderland to join Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.
   Former Spurs reserve keeper Tommy Forecast has gone on loan from Southampton to Eastbourne Borough.
   Another former loan player who was at Tottenham, Paul Konchesky, has gone on loan to Nottingham Forest from Liverpool.

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   OTHER NEWS ... A British record transfer fee of £50 million was paid by Chelsea for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and a record fee for a British player was paid by Liverpool, handing over £35 million to Newcastle United for Andy Carroll ... 

   Tottenham lost 0-4 to Fulham in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage this afternoon.  Click here for a match report
   Striker Robbie Keane has joined West Ham United on loan until the end of the season, when the deal may be made permanent, if the Irons stay in the Premier League.
   It was reported today that Jamie O'Hara was at Molineux to see Wolverhampton Wanderers play Stoke City in the FA Cup before he joins them on loan for the remainder of the season, a move which was confirmed later in the day.
   Barcelona are set to make a £40 million offer for Gareth Bale in the summer according to the Sunday Mirror, with Manchester United, AC Milan, Internazionale and Real Madrid also expected to be involved in the bidding for the young Welshman.
   The Mail on Sunday claims that Spurs are to make a surprise £26 million transfer bid for Fernando Llorente of Atletico Bilbao and the 25 year old is said to have jumped to the top of the club's wanted list.
   Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given is the subject of a £4 million offer from Spurs according to the News Of The World, but the bid has been rejected.
   Younes Kaboul requires surgery on his injured knee and could be out for 6-8 weeks.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Sun claims that Tottenham were to make a £25 million bid for Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll, but on the Sky Sports website later in the day, it reported that the Magpies had rejected a £23 million offer saying it was a "paltry" bid in the current market.
   Internazionale Sporting Director Marco Branca has said that the £40 million plus that Spurs are asking for Gareth Bale is too much for the Italian club to pay.
   Sky Sports website's transfer gossip section claims that Jamie O'Hara was at Wolverhampton Wanderers today for a medical prior to singing on loan for the rest of the season.
   The Daily Mirror have Tottenham down as making an £8 million plus Robbie Keane bid for West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -   Roman Pavlyuchenko and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are both fit again to re-join the Spurs squad for the Fourth Round FA Cup tie against Fulham on Sunday, but missing might be Sandro (back) and Wilson Palacios (knee) is doubtful for the tie.  Longer term injury victims, Ledley King (groin) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are both still out, with Gareth Bale's back spasm ruling him out of contention, but there is better news with Heurelho Gomes returning to training after picking up a shoulder injury in training before the Newcastle United match last week. 
   FULHAM TEAM NEWS : -  Loan signing from Chelsea Gael Kakuta is not able to play because he is cup-tied, while also missing will be Matthew Briggs (calf), Bobby Zamora (broken leg), Phillipe Senderos (Achilles), Mark Schwarzer (international duty) and Aaron Hughes (hamstring).  Midfielder Dickson Etuhu is doubtful with a hamstring pull.
   For a preview of Sunday's FA Cup tie at Fulham, click here.
   Werder Bremen have made a bid for Niko Kranjcar, but Harry Redknapp says he does not want to sell the Croatian midfielder.
   Following a report in the Metro that Fulham were interested in taking Niko Kranjcar to Craven Cottage, later Mark Hughes denied that he is interested in the Croatian, saying he has enough midfielders.
   Defender Jonathan Woodgate has turned down a loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
   The Daily Telegraph reports that Spurs have made an offer to West Ham United for midfielder Scott Parker of Robbie Keane plus £2 million, but it has been rejected, although the paper claims that the deal may be subject to more negotiation.
   In the Daily Mirror, a piece claims that Tottenham will return to Goodison Park in a second attempt to bring Everton captain Phil Neville to White Hart Lane.  The 34 year old is thought be tempted by the thought of playing Champions League football again.
   An Internazionale official has denied the rumour that the Italian club plan a £40 million bid for Gareth Bale in the summer.
   The Daily Express report that Fabio Capello is keeping an eye on Kyle Walker, currently on loan at Aston Villa, with a view to including the 20 year old in the England squad for the friendly in Copenhagen in February.
   Former Spurs defender Lee Young-Pyo has announced his retirement from international football for South Korea.
   Spurs are once more the subject of a fixture being moved for TV coverage.  The game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light set for Saturday 12th February at 15:00 will now kickoff at 17:30 for ESPN to show the game live.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Guardian are claiming that Internazionale of Italy are willing to make a £40 million bid for Gareth Bale in the summer.
   Young midfielder Tom Carroll has joined Leyton Orient on loan until the end of the season.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Richard Keys resigned from Sky Sports following more revelations about his behaviour on the TV channel's football coverage ... 

   CRIME WATCH ... Blackpool have been fined £25,000 for fielding a weakened team in their Premier League match against Aston Villa in November - a game Blackpool narrowly lost 2-3 ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... The reason that Blackpool were fined for putting a weakened side out against Aston Villa is that the Premier League could not believe that any sort of decent side would lose to Aston Villa.

   The Sun reveal that Aston Villa have asked Tottenham to give them a price for them to buy midfielder Jermaine Jenas.  Tottenham are believed to be interested if the Midlanders can stump up £10 million.
   In the same article, Harry Redknapp said he is not looking to sell striker Peter Crouch, as he offers something different up front for Spurs.
   The Daily Telegraph claims that striker Robbie Keane may be making a £1 million loan move to West Ham United, who would pay his £65,000 a week wages and if they avoid relegation, then he would sign a three year deal worth £6 million to Tottenham.
   Tottenham's home game against Arsenal on Saturday 26th February will now have to be re-arranged because of Arsenal's involvement in cup competitions.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Spurs are to make a new bid for Everton defender/midfielder Phil Neville according to the Daily Mirror.
   The Guardian reports that Ledley King may be omitted from the Premier League 25 man Spurs squad because of his groin injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season, while Jonathan Woodgate could feature in the squad for the Champions League.
   Spurs are being linked with a move for former Park Lane favourite - goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who is playing well for Blackburn Rovers - in several sources.
   The Spurs XI fielded at Spurs Lodge today beat Charlton Athletic 3-1 with goals from Niko Kranjcar, Vedran Corluka and Simon Dawkins.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray has been sacked for comments he made about a female assistant referee in Sunday's game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool and following a previous incident that came to light on Sky Sports last month ... 

   The Daily Mail claims that Spurs will have to find £18 million if they wish to sign Lassana Diarra from Real Madrid.
   MEHSTG has received this message from Mat Roper

"I am a fanzine editor at Leyton Orient and an active member of the fans trust. We need your help.Can I please draw your attention to the following statement from Leyton Orient

http://www.leytonorient.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10439~2273878,00.html

and ask your fans to help the O's by emailing Boris Johnson at the following address ...

mayor@london.gov.uk ".

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Richard Keys and Andy Gray were dropped for tonight's live Sky game as they made comments on air about a female assistant referee not knowing the offside rule.  Any fule no that it is the offside law ... football doesn't have rules.

   Sunderland are said to want Roman Pavlyuchenko as their replacement for Darren Bent, who left for Aston Villa last week.  Everton and Aston Villa are also said to be interested in the Russian according to the piece in the Mail on Sunday.
   The News of the World claims that Spurs will offer Gareth Bale a £100,000 a week wage on a five year contract to make him the best paid player of all time at the club and to persuade him to stay with Tottenham.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Tottenham drew 1-1 with Newcastle United at St. James' Park this afternoon.  Click here for a match report.
   Harry Redknapp revealed on the BBC website that Spurs may not be able to afford the wages of Diego Forlan, who was playing for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid in midweek when Redknapp and Kevin Bond went to watch the game.  The Spurs manager said that he wasn't there to watch the player in particular, but his £100,000 a week wages might be too rich for Spurs to meet.
   He went on to say that Ledley King may be excluded from the 25 man Premier League squad if he will not be fit for a couple of months, as Spurs are well served in central defence and the club captain's groin strain may need rest to over-come.
   The Metro claims that Aston Villa are considering bringing Peter Crouch back to Villa Park at the cost of £10.5 million to pair him with new signing Darren Bent up front.
   Giovani dos Santos is close to a loan move to Sampdoria, but while the Italian club will have an option to make the deal permanent, Racing Santander, Real Zaragoza and Genoa are all interested in the 21 year old midfielder.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel was declared bankrupt on Thursday at a Macclesfield court.  It appears the goalie hadn't been keeping enough cash in his bank account.

   In an open letter to Spurs fans on the THFC website, Chairman Daniel Levy has laid out the plans for the club's new stadium, with his vision of the Olympic stadium as well as outlining some problems which still exist in completing the Northumberland Development Project, including obtaining some parcels of land, which, Levy says, might take years to complete.
   Sky Sports website claim that Pele has written to the Olympic Park Legacy Company supporting Tottenham's bid to move to the stadium at Stratford.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -   New signing Steven Pienaar is in the squad for tomorrow's game at Newcastle United.  However, Wilson Palacios and Benoit Assou-Ekotto may both miss out with knee injuries, although Palacios is the more likely of the two to make the squad.  Ledley King's groin injury keeps him out of contention and Tom Huddlestone is still out following surgery on his ankle.
   NEWCASTLE UNITED TEAM NEWS : -  Striker Andy Carroll is out of the game with Spurs with a thigh injury, while Alan Smith joins him on the sick list with an ankle problem.  Dan Gosling has had a reaction after recovering from a knee injury, Steven Taylor's hamstring pull keeps him out and Sol Campbell has a leg injury.  Artem Ben Arfa is still out with a broken leg and Ryan Taylor's ankle ligament injury makes him another long term absentee.
   Sensational story of the day comes form Sky Sports News website that claims Arsenal are looking at signing Jonathan Woodgate from Spurs to deal with their defensive issues.
   Harry Redknapp is reported as telling the media today that Spurs will not be making moves in the transfer widow for FC Porto striker Hulk or Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi.  The Independent revealed today that Rossi has a £33 million buy-out clause in his contract at the Spanish club, who were said to be willing to take half that sum for the striker.
   Niko Kranjcar is believed to have had talks with Harry Redknapp about his future at the club.  Not having been a regular starter this season, the Croatian is keen to get first team football and the piece hints he may move away on loan or on a permanent deal by the end of the summer.
   Ryan Mason has returned to Doncaster Rovers on loan, after having started the season at the Championship club, but having to return to Spurs following an injury.
   In The Guardian, it is claimed that David Beckham was unable to take part in the behind closed door friendly against QPR on Tuesday because of a problem over his insurance.
   Former Spurs defender Pascal Chimbonda has joined Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers on a contract until the end of the season.
   Former Spurs winger Wayne Routledge has returned to Queens Park Rangers from Newcastle United on loan for the rest of the season.
   Former Spurs striker Mido has returned to Egypt to play for Zamalek after being a free agent since leaving Ajax.
   Manchester United defender Rafael, who was charged with misconduct after shouting at the referee following his sending off last weekend has been fined £8,000 for his behaviour and warned as to his future conduct by the FA.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Walsall have appointed Dean Smith as their new manager ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... West Ham United fans are complaining about their club's potential move to the Olympic stadium at Stratford, where they will retain the running track as the nearest seats will be about 45 metres from the pitch.  Many Irons supporters claim this is not far enough away after a disappointing first five months to the season.

   The Independent claims that Spurs are considering interest from Sunderland for Peter Crouch and if the transfer goes through, they will have the cash from Sunderland, who have now completed the payment for the transfer of Darren Bent, the club might make a move for 23 year old Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi of Villarreal, who would cost between £15 million and £20 million.  Sunderland, it seems, are not interested in signing Robbie Keane, as he is not the type of player they are seeking at the moment.
   In the same article, it claims that as well as the on-going interest in signing Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll, Daniel Levy made a serious bid to sign Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.
   The Daily Express report that Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has asked about signing Roman Pavlyuchenko, but does not want to pay the £13.8 million asking price, so will look elsewhere.
   Winger Andros Townsend has joined Watford on loan for the rest of the season.
   For a preview of the game at Newcastle United on Saturday, click here.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Daily Mirror claims that West Ham United are to sell a player to raise £8 million to put in a bid for striker Robbie Keane.
   On the Sky Sports website, the agent of Luis Fabiano has scotched rumours that Tottenham had made a bid for his client, the Brazilian striker who is currently at Sevilla.
   The Sun report that a first appearance in a Spurs shirt for David Beckham was denied by LA Galaxy's fears over security at Spurs Lodge, where he was to feature in the behind closed doors friendly against QPR yesterday.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Spurs secured the signing of Everton's South African international midfielder Steven Pienaar today for a fee believed to be £2.5 million on a four and a half year deal after dismissing interest from Chelsea.  It is hoped he will gain his work permit in time to play against Newcastle United on Saturday.
   TalkSport's website claim that Benfica, Spurs and Everton are all after Marseille defender Taye Taiwo, who would cost £5 million.
   The Metro reckon Spurs and Newcastle United will battle for the services of Italian World Cup winning midfielder Mauro Camoranesi, after VfB Stuttgart revealed they were willing to let the 34 year old go.
   Robbie Keane has said that Birmingham City did not put a deal down for him and he thinks that their claims are designed to try and get some publicity for the club.
   The Daily Mirror writes that Rafael van der Vaart is trying to persuade his compatriot Mark van Bommel to join him at Spurs, but AC Milan and Manchester City are also interested in signing the Dutch international from Bayern Munich.
   A Spurs XI beat a QPR 9-2 at Spurs Lodge in a reserve team friendly today.  The game was won with goals from Robbie Keane 2, Giovani dos Santos 2, Ryan Mason, Niko Kranjcar, Nathan Byrne, Simon Dawkins and Cameron Lancaster and featured the return from injury of Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O'Hara.
   Tottenham will be in for a windfall from Darren Bent's move from Sunderland to Aston Villa for an initial £18 million rising to £24 million with add-on payments when certain conditions are met.  Spurs are said to be due 20% of the profit Sunderland make on the striker.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   It is being reported that Tottenham have had an offer for Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar accepted and that it is now down to the player to talk terms with the club.  The South African looked likely to join Chelsea, but now seems like he might be heading for White Hart Lane with a fee rumoured to be £2.5 million believed to be involved, as the Toffees did not want to lose him for nothing in the summer.
   Birmingham City have dropped their interest in signing Robbie Keane, as they feel that he would not be the best financial option for the club.  The fee of £6 million (£4 million up front and £2 million on conditions) would have been a major expenditure, but they would also have had to consider the added cost of the salary he would demand.  The Mirror claimed that the Republic of Ireland international wanted more than the £65,000 a week he earned at Spurs.
   The Metro report that Newcastle United are believed to have turned down a bid of around £15 million for striker Andy Carroll.
   Charlton Athletic may be the loan destination of midfielder John Bostock after he returned to Tottenham having spent the first half of the season on loan at Hull City.
   Tottenham's popularity with the media spreads ever further, with the away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers being moved from Saturday 5th March to Sunday 6th March with a 16:00 kick off and the home match with West Ham United moving from a 15:00 kick off to a 12:45 kick off on Saturday 19th March so that  the games can be covered live on Sky Sports TV.
   Manchester United defender Rafael will be charged with misconduct after his reaction to being dismissed in yesterday's game at White Hart Lane.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   CRIME WATCH ... Ryan Babel has been fined £10,000 for posting a photo of Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United shirt on his Twitter account following last week's Third Round FA Cup tie at Old Trafford ... 

   Tottenham drew 0-0 with Manchester United at White Hart Lane this afternoon.  For a match report, click here.
   The Sunday Mirror reckons Spurs will launch a £30 million bid for Newcastle United Andy Carroll to test the St. James Park club's resolve to keep their striker.
   In the Daily Mail, they run a story claiming that David Beckham will return to the Premier League to finish his career when his contract at LA Galaxy expire sin November, with Spurs believed to be ready to offer a deal to the England midfielder.
   The News of the World reckons Spurs might lose out on Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, as they thought they had settled on a £2 million deal for the South African and will not match Chelsea's offer of £3 million, although the Sunday Telegraph claim that the player would prefer Spurs over Chelsea, as he does not feel that he will develop his career in the way he wants at Stamford Bridge.
   In the same paper, they write that Tottenham might turn to Manchester United's Wes Brown after being turned down when making an enquiry about the availability of Everton left back Phil Neville, although it seems United want £3 million for Brown and won't let him go out on loan.
   The Sunday Mirror claims Harry Redknapp wants to sign more older players to bring experience into the side, with 32 year old Marseille defender Gabriel Heinze and 25 year old Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra on his shopping list.  Both would be cup-tied for the Champions League though.
   The story claims that the decks will be cleared for Diarra's move by letting Wilson Palacios go to either Stoke City or Wolverhampton Wanderers for £8 million.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Eddie Howe was confirmed as the new manager at Burnley today ... meanwhile, Lee Bradbury has taken over as caretaker manager at Howe's former club Bournemouth ...

   Sky Sports are reporting that Steven Pienaar has not reached agreement with Chelsea over terms and will be allowed to talk to Tottenham, although Spurs have not had an offer accepted.  However, the report states that they believe the South African midfielder has received more lucrative offers from the continent (believed to be Monaco and Paris St. Germain) and may move there.  The Daily Mirror are confident that Spurs will sign the 28 year old next week, but the Independent suggests that AC Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich are also watching Pienaar's situation.  Sky Sports website claimed the player's representatives were in London today having discussions about the move to White Hart Lane, with Spurs now looking the favourites to sign him.
   The story about Pienaar in the Mirror claims that Everton were holding out for players to be included in a £2 million deal, with Robbie Keane the main focus of attention, but his wages and interest from other clubs might mean that part of the deal cannot be negotiated.
   West Ham United hope to nip in to steal Robbie Keane away from Birmingham City according to Sky Sports website, as the stricken Irons hope to tempt him to stay in London on a permanent deal, instead of the loan they previously were offering.
   The Times claim that Spurs are interested in Marseille's Nigerian left back Taye Taiwo, who is in the last six months of his contract at the Ligue 1 club.
   Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has come out in support of Tottenham's bid to take over the Olympic Stadium in 2012, with his comments on TalkSport's website including the criticism of the stadium being ill-designed and that demolishing and rebuilding it is the best idea, as the running track would not be acceptable and nobody needs a 60,000 capacity athletics stadium.
   And finally ... from the BBC London website ... "A bright blue cockerel and a bronze sculpture of a boy on a rocking horse will take their place on the Fourth Plinth in London's Trafalgar Square.  German artist Katharina Fritsch's cockerel, designed to symbolise regeneration, awakening and strength, will stand on the plinth from 2013."

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   A £6 million fee has been agreed with Birmingham City for the transfer of Robbie Keane.  The player is yet to have discussions on personal terms with the Midlands club, although the Daily Mail previously had reported that West Ham wanted the Republic of Ireland striker for £4 million and the Metro said that Fulham were pursuing an interest in the former Spurs captain.  £4 million is to be paid up front by Birmingham with the other £2 million dependant on conditions in the deal being fulfilled.
   The Metro claims Aston Villa and Spurs are looking at signing Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Gareth Bale is expected to be ready to return to the Spurs side after suffering a back spasm in the game against Everton, while Younes Kaboul is available again after suspension.  Spurs will be without Ledley King (groin) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle), but should have a relatively fit squad to select from.
   MANCHESTER UNITED .TEAM NEWS : -  Edwin van der Sar may miss out with illness, as Ji-Sung Park misses out too, as he is away in Qatar on international duty.  Antonio Valencia is still missing after breaking his ankle early in the season, while John O'Shea's calf injury should side-line him and Owen Hargreaves' hamstring injury keeps him out of the side after a long lay-off.
   Click here for a preview of Sunday's match against Manchester United.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Chris Powell has been revealed as the new manager of Charlton Athletic ...  ... 

   Spurs will meet Fulham in the FA Cup Fourth Round tie at 6:30 on Sunday 30th January with the game being covered by ESPN.
   The Metro reports that Roberto Mancini is making Gareth Bale Manchester City's top transfer target in the summer should Spurs want to sell the left sided midfielder.
   Also in the London free paper, they report that Manchester United and Spurs are watching Radosav Petrovic, a midfielder from FK Partizan.
   The Daily Mirror reckons Harry Redknapp is in for Manchester United defender Wes Brown, along with five other clubs.
   The FAW will deny Gareth Bale the opportunity to play at the 2012 Olympics, after re-iterating that no Welsh players will take part in the GB team at the Games.
   It appears from the BBC website that QPR tried to sign Kyle Naughton on loan from Spurs to cover the vacancy left by Kyle Walker, who returned to White Hart Lane from his loan at Loftus Road, but the West London club would not match the fee paid by Leicester City to keep Naughton on loan with them.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   David Bentley has completed his loan move to Birmingham City for the rest of this season.
   The Daily Mail report that Aston Villa's interest in striker Roman Pavyluchenko will be thwarted as the Russian is set to sign a new contract with Spurs.
   The Mirror reports that Spurs were willing to offer £2 million for Everton defender Phil Neville, but the Merseyside club would have wanted some players in return.
   Also in the Mirror, there is a piece saying that Tottenham's interest in Bayern Munich's Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel is likely to be fruitless, as AC Milan are in for him.
   The Guardian claim that Spurs have reached an agreement to sign Steven Pienaar from Everton, but they are not sure whether that will be for £2 million now or for free in the summer.  The 28 year old is reported to be set to be handed £70,000 a week in wages for a four year deal, having fought off interest from Internazionale and Atletico Madrid.
   Spurs revealed that they would dismantle a large proportion of the Olympic Stadium should they win the bid to occupy it after the 2012 Games.  Their architect David Keirle said that they would keep some of the lower parts of the stadium, but would take down other parts and use them at Crustal Palace, as development of this ground would give Tottenham more for their money rather than re-building at White Hart Lane.  If West Ham United were to win the bid for the stadium, they would redevelop it with £40 million of the £150 million needed to do so being borrowed from Newham Council.  A decision is expected on 28th January.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Darren Ferguson has returned to Peterborough United to manage the club he left fourteen months ago ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Plymouth Argyle today survived a winding-up attempt in the High Court and the Torquay United fans who were singing "You're just a small club from Devon" from the public gallery were disappointed not to get a reaction from the Pilgrims.

   David Beckham started training with the Spurs squad today and Harry Redknapp still harbours hopes that a loan deal may be able to be completed to allow the LA Galaxy midfielder to play for Tottenham.
   The Daily Mirror reports that Beckham may be willing to take a pay cut to play for Spurs on a loan deal.
   One player who won't be coming to White Hart Lane is Everton captain Phil Neville, who will not be allowed to leave Goodison Park, despite Spurs making two enquiries about the availability of the 33 year old defender.
   Everton's Steven Pienaar may be coming to Spurs for £1.5 million and as part of a swap deal with Robbie Keane going on loan to the Toffees if Spurs pay a percentage of his wages, according to the Mirror.  However, Chelsea may be willing to pay £3 million for the South African midfielder the Daily Mail says.
   A Spurs XI beat Crystal Palace side 4-2 at Spurs Lodge this afternoon, with Ryan Mason and Cameron Lancaster scoring two each, with one of Mason's coming from the penalty spot.  Bongani Khulambo made his first appearance for Tottenham.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Aldershot Town have moved quickly to name their new manager, who will be Dean Holdsworth ... Dougie Freeman has been made up from caretaker to full-time manager at Crystal Palace ,,,

   David Beckham arrived at Spurs Lodge today for medical tests before he begins training with the squad tomorrow during the break in the MLS season.
   David Bentley was having a medical today ahead of a proposed loan move to Birmingham City for the rest of the season.
   Paul-Jose M'Poku has extended his loan at Leyton Orient for the rest of the season.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Kevin Dillon has left Aldershot Town as their manager by mutual consent ... Another manager leaving on similar terms is Gary Johnson of Peterborough United ... Dave Penney has been appointed as the new manager of Bristol Rovers ... Paul Jewell has been named as the new manager of Ipswich Town ... Macclesfield Town midfielder Richard Butcher was found dead at home when he did not turn up for training.  He was only 29.  Our thoughts go out to his family and friends ....

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Theo Walcott has admitted to skiving during Arsenal matches.  The England winger said he had a laugh with the referee about it after the game against Leeds United on Saturday.

   Tottenham beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 in the Third Round of the FA Cup this afternoon.  For a match report, click here.
   Spurs were drawn away to Fulham in the Fourth Round of the FA cup this afternoon, with the tie at Craven Cottage to take place over the weekend of the 29th/30th January.
   The Mail on Sunday claim that Spurs are looking to sign David Beckham on a permanent deal when his LA Galaxy contract expires in November this year.  However, with the former England captain having to return to LA Galaxy in early February, it was not possible to get a deal tied up for him to play for Spurs in this transfer window, but he will train with the club for a month.  Later Harry Redknapp said he had got the issue over the insurance to cover the player while with Spurs wrong and that there   may still be a chance he would play during his stay at the club.
   Chelsea have entered the chase for Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, who Spurs have been tracking for a long while, according to the Sunday Times.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Theo Walcott has admitted that he pretended to drive to the match against Leeds United yesterday.  He said that it is not something that he had to own up to, but he thought that people would respect him more if they thought that he could drive.

   TalkSport's website claims that Fulham might nip in before Birmingham City to sign up £7 million Robbie Keane.
   The Daily Mirror reports that QPR and Leeds United are vying for the loan signing of Jonathan Woodgate.
   Spurs Under-18s drew 1-1 away at Coventry City today with an own goal giving Tottenham a goal.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Roy Hodgson has left Liverpool by mutual consent with the club  and Kenny Dalglish will take over as manager for the remainder of the season ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Theo Walcott admitted today, after the FA Cup tie against Leeds United, that he was pretending to be a footballer.  The England winger said he wasn't that sort of person and that he didn't have to apologise for pretending to play for Arsenal, but that he was just trying to be honest.

   Tottenham completed the signing of central defender Bongani Khalumo from SuperSport United in South Africa for a fee believed to be around £1.5 million.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  A number of players could be rested for the FA Cup Third Round tie against Charlton Athletic including Gareth Bale, who suffered a knock that has given him a bad back after Wednesday's game against Everton.  Spurs could field Vedran Corluka, Niko Kranjcar, Wilson Palacios and Sandro in the starting line-up, along with Jermain Defoe, who is available again after suspension.
   CHARLTON ATHLETIC TEAM NEWS : -   Paul Benson starts a three match suspension although Matt Fry will be available after extending his loan from West Ham United .
   David Bentley has had a medical at Birmingham City ahead of a loan move to St. Andrews, which should be completed soon.
   Jonathan Obika has returned form a loan spell at Crystal Palace and has left to join Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season.
   Young striker Harry Kane has gone on loan to Leyton Orient for the remainder of the season.
   Kyle Naughton's loan at Leicester City has been extended until the end of the season.
   For a preview of the FA Cup tie against Charlton Athletic, click here.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Roy Keane was sacked as manager of Ipswich Town today ... 

   Kyle Walker has returned from loan from Queens Park Rangers, but has gone out on loan again to Aston Villa until the end of the season.
   Adam Smith has had his loan at Bournemouth extended until the end of May.
   Birmingham City's pursuit of striker Robbie Keane is still some way from completion according to the Midlands club.
   The Sun report that Spurs and Liverpool might be up against each other in the loan signing of Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayour.
   In the same paper, it claims that Spurs will use the funds from Robbie Keane's sale to pay for the £500,000 insurance to cover David Beckham while he is on loan at the club.
   The Daily Mail reckon that Spurs want to tempt Newcastle United into parting with Andy Carroll by offering Robbie Keane as part of the deal.  The London Evening Standard say that David Bentley will be thrown in by Spurs, but Newcastle want both of them and £8m to make the deal worth about £30 million.
  The Daily Mirror claim that Harry Redknapp will be appointed as the new England manager with David Beckham as his coach in 2012.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Preston North End have appointed Phil Brown as their new manager ... Jim Gannon has been named as the new manager of Port Vale ...

   Tottenham lost 2-1 to Everton at Goodison Park tonight.  For a match report click here.
   Harry Redknapp confirmed that a £7 million fee for Robbie Keane has been agreed with Birmingham City with the move now up to the Irish striker.
   David Beckham looks like he will be allowed to move on loan to a Premier League club within the near future, with Tottenham looking to be favourites, with Olympic Stadium partners AEG being owned by Philip Anshutz, who also owns LA Galaxy.  However, in the Daily Mirror, Redknapp has been quoted as saying the deal must be done soon, otherwise it will not be worth the club's while, as the former England captain will only be able to play a few games towards the end of his time on loan.
   Aston Villa are reported to be keen on taking Spurs defender Kyle Walker on loan for the rest of the season.
   The talkSport website claim that Spurs are joining the chase for Southampton's young midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
   The Ajax striker Luis Suarez is supposedly a £17 million target for Spurs in the January transfer window, according to the Mirror.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Alan Hutton is the major doubt for the game after the weekend match against Fulham, when he got Andy Johnson's studs on his foot.  William Gallas pulled up in the game with a tight hamstring and will be assessed in a late fitness test, while Spurs will still be missing Jermain Defoe and Younes Kaboul as they are still both suspended, while Jamie O'Hara (back), Ledley King (groin), Jonathan Woodgate (groin), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Carlo Cudicini (shoulder) all miss out.
   EVERTON TEAM NEWS : -   Seamus Coleman (ribs) and Johnny Heitinga (knee) are both last minute decisions for David Moyes after picking up knocks at the weekend.  Definitely out for the Toffees are Ross Barkley (leg) and Phil Jagielka (thigh).  Tim Cahill has flown out to represent Australia in the Asian Cup and will not be available, along with Leon Osman, who has an ankle problem.
   For a preview of the Everton game, click here.
   The Independent claims that Spurs are targeting Ajax striker Luis Suarez, but the Uruguayan will cost them in the region of £17 million.
   The Daily Mail has Newcastle United as having Spurs striker Robbie Keane as one of their loan targets in the January transfer window.
   David Bentley is a prime target for the Magpies according to the Daily Mirror.
   Former Spurs striker Mido has had his contract at Ajax cancelled by mutual consent.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Charlton Athletic sacked manager Phil Parkinson today ... Chris Hutchings was sacked by Walsall as their manager today ... Stockport County joined the sack race by dismissing manager Paul Simpson today ...

   The Daily Mirror reports that Spurs are looking for permanent deals for David Bentley, Robbie Keane and Niko Kranjcar to raise money for new signings in January.  Tottenham have priced Kranjcar at £9 million, Keane at £5 million and they want the bulk of the £15 million they paid Blackburn Rovers for Bentley.
   To read the latest editorial, click here.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Mail on Sunday reckons that David Beckham is to say yes to Tottenham about a loan move and that he will make his debut against Manchester United at White Hart Lane on 16th January.
   The paper also claims that David Bentley is on his way to Newcastle United, whose manager Alan Pardew is a big fan and sees the Spurs winger as a good provider for centre forward Andy Carroll.
   The Sunday Mirror has Spurs down as favourites to snap up Blackburn Rovers centre half Christopher Samba, who is unsettled at Ewood Park since Sam Allardyce was sacked.  The 26 year old Congo international would give Spurs options at the back with Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate injured and William Gallas suffering a hamstring problem.
   The News of the World reports that Spurs will bid £1.5 million for Everton's South African midfielder Steven Pienaar, but the Toffees are expected to hold out for £3 million.
   And the NoTW also has a piece saying that Robbie Keane is wanted by Newcastle Unite don loan until the end of the season and then with a view to making the deal permanent if the loan goes well.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MEHSTG READERS.
   Tottenham beat Fulham 1-0 at White Hart Lane this afternoon.  Click here for a match report.
   Harry Redknapp said in his post-match press conference that Spurs are in talks with LA Galaxy about bringing David Beckham to White Hart Lane on loan and the player is said to be keen on the idea.
   The Sun reckon Leeds United want to take Jonathan Woodgate on loan for the rest of the season, although the Daily Express claims that Glasgow Celtic are willing to offer the central defender the chance of first team football.
   The Daily Mirror runs the story about Birmingham City wanting Robbie Keane on loan, but the Daily Mail reckon Newcastle United could be his destination.
   Former Spurs striker Steffen Iversen is back in English football having joined Crustal Palace on a free transfer from Rosenborg of Norway.
   Former Spurs full back Mark Stimson was sacked as manager of Barnet after today's defeat by Aldershot Town.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Crystal Palace sacked their manager George Burley after today's 0-3 defeat by Millwall ...