White Hot Lines

   Roman Pavlyuchenko has made some weird comments ahead of tomorrow's game against Manchester United at Wembley, claiming that Dimitar Berbatov is an "arrogant snob" in the Sun and also being quoted widely as saying he would love to play for Manchester United.  The comments are reported fro an interview he did for Russian paper Gazeta and Roman reckons Berbatov used to throw his dirty boots at a club employee after training and say "Clean these."
   The Daily Mirror claims that Aston Villa and Tottenham are watching Shakhtar Donetsk's Romanian full back Razvan Rat.
   For a preview of tomorrow's League Cup Final, click here.
   To hear Wyart Lane on Absolute Radio's League Cup Final podcast, featuring Ossie Ardiles and Gerry Francis, click here and click on "Listen again".

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs will wait on Ledley King's late fitness test in the hope he will be ready to start the match at Wembley.  Jamie O'Hara has said he is fit after playing 70 minutes of last night's UEFA Cup draw and Harry Redknapp will be hoping that Jonathan Woodgate (cut head) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (groin) will be fit for the match after getting back to training.  Heurelho Gomes is guaranteed a start with Carlo Cudicini cup-tied, along with Pascal Chimbonda, Robbie Keane and Wilson Palacios.  Tom Huddlestone looks likely to be on the bench.  Jermain Defoe and Alan Hutton are both out after foot operations.  Fraizer Campbell cannot play as he is on loan from Manchester United and .
   MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS : -  It looks as though United will start with Wayne Rooney and Darren Welbeck up front and Darron Gibson in midfield, although defender Rafael is out with a broken ankle.
   Alan Hutton has told the Daily Record that he will be fit at the end of March after suffering with a foot injury that needed surgery.
   Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch has said that he is happy at the South Coast club and is not looking to move to Spurs, despite rumours linking him with a move back to the club he served as a youngster.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Headline on BBC Football website "Parry to leave post at Liverpool".  Seems like he has a new job as a postman already !!

   Spurs drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk at home in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 Second Leg and were knocked out 3-1 on aggregate.  For a match report, click here and for reaction click here.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ...

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Newcastle United have admitted that they were naive about Kevin Keegan's departure from St. James Park last year.  They thought that he was still their manager. 

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs are expected to leave Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, Luka Modric out and being cup-tied rules out Vedran Corluka, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane.  Jamie O'Hara might be back and Heurelho Gomes will start in place of the injured Carlo Cudicini.
   Reserve midfielder Kyle Fraser-Allen has gone on loan to Macclesfield for a month.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Darlington have gone into administration ... ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ... The Stoke City forward Ricardo Fuller has been arrested for motoring offences in Stoke ... Wigan Athletic striker Marlon King has had his court case for sexual assault adjourned until 8th April ... 

   Jonathan Woodgate has said he should be fit for the League Cup Final on Sunday after suffering a cut eye in yesterday's game at Hull.
   Spurs Reserves won their away game against West Ham United reserves 3-1 with Adel Taarabt scoring a hat-trick.
   Tottenham's FA Youth Cup quarter final at White Hart Lane on Thursday 5th March will now kick off at 7:45 p.m. to allow live coverage by Setanta Sports TV.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Victor Anichebe's £12 shin pads saved him from serious injury following Kevin Nolan's tackle on him in Sunday's game.  The £3,000 week's pay stuffed behind them helped soften the blow too.

   Tottenham beat Hull City 2-1 at the KC Stadium tonight.  For a match report click here and for reaction click here.
   The Spurs Reserves match against Portsmouth which was postponed on 20th January will now take place on Monday 4th May with a 7:00 p.m. kick off.
   Former Spurs defender Stephen Carr has come out of retirement to play on a one month contract for Birmingham City, after being on trial with the Championship club.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   There is a new book about Spurs out now by Harry Harris, called 'Down Memory Lane – A Spurs Fan’s View of the Last Fifty Years.'  Harry will be signing copies of his book next week and there is also the opportunity to have your photo taken with the League Cup.  The signing will take place at HMV Oxford Circus on Wednesday 25th February at 12.00 noon and ex-Spurs players Ossie Ardiles and Paul Miller will be in attendance.
   The website www.60mins.tv has just been re-launched and as part of a special promotion, they have reduced the signed copies of the "60 minutes with Steve Perryman" DVD from £17.99 to £8.99.  Visit the site to get your copy.
   For a preview of tomorrow night's game at Hull City, click here.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Little more news today, with the Hull match not being on until Monday.
   The Under-18s maintained their good record this season in the FA Academy Premier League with a last minute equaliser in their 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Spurs Lodge.  The goals came from Andros Townsend, Jon Obika 2 and Ryan Mason. 

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Micky Adams has parted company with Brighton and Hove Albion by mutual consent ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ...  Boring, Boring Arsenal are back, recording their third consecutive 0-0 draw in the Premier League for the first time since 1998.

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs will welcome back Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka after they were cup-tied for the game in the Ukraine yesterday.  Also back in with a chance of playing are Jonathan Woodgate, Luka Modric, Wilson Palacios, Aaron Lennon, Carlo Cudicini and Benoit Assou-Ekotto.  Jermain Defoe and Alan Hutton (both foot injuries) and Ledley King (hamstring) are all definitely out.
   HULL CITY TEAM NEWS : -  Jimmy Bullard's knee injury ahs ruled him out for the rest of the season and Craig Fagan is out following minor knee surgery.  Daniel Cousin should return in attack and Matt Duke will keep out Boaz Myhill in goal.  Ryan France's thigh injury may keep him out of contention.
   Tottenham's league game at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday 4th April will now kick off at 12:45 for coverage by Sky TV and the away game at Old Trafford against Manchester United on 25th April will now be a 17:30 kick off to allow it to be shown on Setanta.  The Blackburn game is still subject to change should Spurs progress in the UEFA Cup.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Tottenham lost 0-2 in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 First leg tie in Ukraine tonight.  For a match report, click here and reaction to follow.
   Blackburn Rovers are interested in Real Mallorca full back Jesus Gomez, who would cost £4 million, but Spurs and Real Madrid are also interested.
   Tottenham's reserves will take on Arsenal reserves at Barnet FC on Thursday 9th April after the original date on Monday 6th April is unsuitable because of the League Two club's fixtures.  The return game will be played at Leyton Orient FC on Tuesday 14th April after being postponed on February 2nd. 

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Terry Skiverton has been named as the new manager of Yeovil Town ... ... 

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Pascal Chimbonda will make his first start for Tottenham, playing in place of the cup-tied Vedran Corluka.  Staying in England were Jonathan Woodgate, Wilson Palacios, Ledley King, Aaron Lennon, Carlo Cudicini, Jamie O'Hara, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, Alan Hutton, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Luka Modric.  This leaves the opportunity for Darren Bent to start up front and for some youngsters to feature in the side too.
   SHAKHTAR DONETSK TEAM NEWS : -  A number of Brazilians will star in the Ukrainian side, including Jadson, Fernandinho, Willian, Ilsinho and Luiz Adriano. 
   Tottenham's UEFA Cup tie against Shakhtar Donetsk will be shown live on Channel Five in the UK .
   For a preview of the game, click here.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ...  not a football story, but our favourite joke (courtesy of Mario Sergides).  13 year old dad Alfie Patten is joining Fathers 4 Justice.  He doesn't understand the politics, but he is delighted with his Spider-Man costume.

   No earth-shattering news today other than Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka and Robbie Keane are all cup tied for the UEFA Cup tie on Thursday, while Adel Taarabt and Ricardo Rocha cannot play as they were not included in the original squad of the competition named back at the start of the season.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Goalkeeper David Button has returned to White Hart Lane after completing his one month loan at AFC Bournemouth.
   The Daily Mail suggests that former Spurs centre half Ramon Vega, who has made a good amount of money since leaving the game, could be the man who buys out the existing regime at Portsmouth by the end of the week.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Russell Slade has left Yeovil Town as the club's manager ... ... 

   The Daily Star Sunday claims that Spurs may move for Arsenal defender, currently on loan at Portsmouth, Armand Traore in the summer.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... a primary school teacher will be managing cash-strapped and manager-less Fisher Athletic on Wednesday when they meet Eastleigh in the Blue Square South, as she won a competition for raising the most money for the club -  £500

   Marseille defender Taye Taiwo is keen to move to Tottenham in the summer if the two clubs can thrash out a deal for the Nigerian full back.
   The Tottenham Academy tram beat Bristol City 5-0 this morning in the FA Premier Academy League.  The goals were scored by Jon Obika, Calum Butcher, Kudos Oyenuga, Ryan Mason and Anthony Jack.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Darren Bent has told the Sun that he is not willing to stay on the bench at White Hart Lane, as there is "so much more to come from him" as a player and he will be looking to get away if he does not start more games for Tottenham soon.
   An 18 year old striker from Borak Cacak of Serbia has been on trial at Tottenham for a week.  Darko Lazovic has returned home, but was as impressed with Spurs as they were with him.  He will take his time in deciding where his future lies, but Spurs have got in first to tempt the young Serbian international to North London.
   CSKA Moscow striker Wagner Love said his club turned down an "insufficient" offer from Tottenham for him in the recent transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
   The FA Youth Cup quarter final against Arsenal will take place at White Hart Lane on Thursday 5th March with a 19:00 kick off.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Chelsea announced losses of £65.7 million in the financial ear to the end of June 2008 ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Ray Wilkins has said today that there is no split at Chelsea.  "Butch" told reporters that there was a super atmosphere within the club's squad and that Guus Hiddink was a super man.

   Tottenham have fallen to the 14th richest club in Europe according to the Deloitte Football Money League published today.  Figures are based on turnover in the 2007-08 season and on the current value of the pound against the Euro.
   The reserve game at Brentford FC on February 2nd, which was postponed because of adverse weather conditions will now be played on Monday 27th April with a 7:00 p.m. kick off.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   CRIME WATCH ... Wigan Athletic striker Marlon King has been charged with sexual assault of a 20 year old woman in a London night club.  He is also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with the woman suffering a broken nose and a cut lip ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... News of Bradford City's intention to share a Sporting Village complex in the Yorkshire city with the Bradford Bulls Rugby League side will see the introduction of innovative extending goalposts, which will be able to stay at crossbar level for football goals and then extend up and beyond the bar for rugby goals, when the Bulls play their matches.

   Tottenham's away game against Sunderland, originally due to be played on Saturday 28th February, will now be played at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 7th March, with a 3:00 p.m. kick off.
   The Spurs Youth side were away at Plymouth Argyle in the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup tonight and they came away from Home Park with a brace from Paul-Jose M'Poku and another goal from Ryan Mason.  The Under-18s will now face Arsenal in the quarter finals of the competition.
   Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka played in Croatia's 2-1 friendly win in Romania tonight.
   Chris Gunter and Gareth Bale played the full 90 minutes of Wales' 0-1 friendly defeat by Poland in Portugal tonight.
   Robbie Keane captained the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup qualifying game against Georgia at Croke Park, Dublin, scoring both goals (one a penalty) in their 2-1 win.
   Adel Taarabt made his international debut for Morocco as a substitute in the second half in their 0-0 friendly with the Czech Republic.
   Benoit Assou-Ekotto also played his first game at international level, starting and playing all of Camertoon's 3-1 friendly win over Guinea in Paris last night.
   Also starting was Giovani Dos Santos who played 72 minutes of Mexico's 0-2 defeat to the USA in their World Cup qualifying match played in Ohio yesterday.
   West Ham United have offered a three year contract to former Spurs youth striker Terry Dixon.  The 19 year old was released with a serious knee injury, but the Irishman has proved worth a contract with the Irons after working with a specialist in Belgium. 

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Tony Adams was informed he had been sacked as manager of Portsmouth in a telephone call from Chief Executive Peter Storrie during the fifth birthday party of his son, Atticus.

   No real news today, with no game this weekend it could be a quiet week !!
   Tom Huddlestone and Fraizer Campbell played for England Under-21s against Ecuador Under-23s in Spain today, with Campbell scoring England's second goal in a 2-3 defeat.
   Former Spurs defender Justin Edinburgh has stepped up to be caretaker manager at Rushden & Diamonds after manager Garry Hill resigned.  Edinburgh will stay in charge until the end of the season.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich has spoke to the Russian FA about taking Guus Hiddink as their manager until the end of the season.  A major benefactor of the Russian FA is Roman Abramovich, who personally funds Hiddink's wages as the national coach.  Sounds like the Chelsea owner has been talking to himself again.

   The club announced that they have cancelled the registration of reserve team defender Leigh Mills.
   The Daily Mirror reports that Spurs are winning the race to sign 18 year old Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
   Swindon Town defender Nathan Thompson is being watched by Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle United, according to the Mirror.
   Both Aaron Lennon and Vedran Corluka picked up groin injuries in Sunday's game against Arsenal.  Lennon is likely to be withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad for the friendly against Ecuador U23.  Jamie O'Hara's hip injury rules him out of the game too.
   The reserve game at home to Arsenal at Leyton Orient FC was postponed after the pitch was waterlogged.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Tony Adams was sacked as manager of Portsmouth today ... Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked as manager of Chelsea today ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ... Shaun Wright-Phillips has been suspended for three matches after kicking out at Rory Delap in a recent game against Stoke City ...  ...

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... 

   Tottenham drew 0-0 with Arsenal at White Hart Lane this afternoon.  Click here for a match report and here for reaction
   The News of the World says that Stewart Downing will be allowed to leave Middlesbrough in the summer and Spurs, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all keen on signing the left winger.
   Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is said to be a target for Spurs now that Shay Given has been signed as the number one at Eastlands, according to the Mail On Sunday.
   The News of the World claims that Olympique Lyonnais' Brazilian striker Fred wrecked his move to Spurs by his wage demands or so his representative says.
   Newcastle United and Sunderland will vie for the signing of £10 million rated Darren Bent in the summer, with Sunderland failing with a late bid in the January transfer window, but Harry Redknapp wanted to keep the striker after Jermain Defoe got injured.
   The People carry a number of odd stories about Spurs.  The first is fairly straight forward, with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Spurs all ready to bid for Manchester City's promising young striker Daniel Sturridge in the summer.
   The next claims Spurs almost signed Patrick Vieira in the January transfer window, but he will return to the Premier League in the summer.
   The final article reckons that former Head Coach Juande Ramos has said that the man responsible for the poor season Tottenham are having is Daniel Levy ... just a week or so after he claims he didn't say that !!  He also claims that he would not have  sanctioned the sale of the key players who were not able to be replaced.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Claims today that referee Steve Bennett told an undercover journalist that players ask him to book them to allow them to have a family holiday have been dismissed as a hoax, after it transpired that Bennett had always wanted to be a travel agent and was fantasising about arranging vacations for the rich and famous.

   The Daily Mail reckons Tottenham are one of several clubs watching 18 year old Venezuelan starlet Carlos Fernandez, who plays on the left side of midfield.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ... Carlos Tevez has had his £140,000 Bentley impounded as when stopped by the Police for having illegally tinted windows, it was found that the Manchester United player did not have a valid driving licence.  Foreign non-EU nationals are allowed to drive on their existing licence for 12 months and then have to pass a test to continue driving in the UK.  Tevez had not done so ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... The row over the missed goal in the FA Cup tie between Everton and Liverpool rumbles on, as the Toffees fans say they haven't seen enough 1-0 wins this season.

  MEHSTG's spin story 2 ... Manager Joe Kinnear, who felt unwell on Saturday morning has been told to stay in hospital ... by Newcastle fans everywhere.

   After being on trial at Tottenham, it looks like Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah will not be offered a contract, as the former Fenerbahce is currently in Russia under-going a trial with Rubin Kazan.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs have Alan Hutton out injured with his long term foot injury; Ledley King's knee, Jamie O'Hara's hip and Jermain Defoe's foot all rule them out, while David Bentley serves a one game ban.  Coming in as captain is new signing Robbie Keane.
   ARSENAL TEAM NEWS : -  Andrei Arshavin may go straight into the Arsenal team for Sunday's game at White Hart Lane, with Emanuel Eboue also fit to play.  However, Abou Diaby is suspended for the game and Mikael Silvestre is out with a knee injury, Theo Walcott with a shoulder problem, Cecs Fabregas (knee),
Eduardo recovery from a broken leg and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are all out of contention.  
   For a preview of the game on Sunday, click here.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... BSkyB have secured the rights to most of the Premier League TV coverage until 2013. Setanta will have rights to broadcast the live early evening Saturday game, while the BBC retained the highlights package ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Everton fans are still up in arms that their goal against Liverpool was missed because of an advertising break on ITV on Wednesday.  However, someone who is not a spokesperson for the television company said, "We realise the error was made and why Everton fans are so upset.  They don't score that many goals after all."

   The Daily Star claims that Stephen Hunt turned down moves to Tottenham and Everton in the transfer window to sign a new five year deal with Reading.
   Sky Sports and TeamTalk claim that Spurs reserve winger David Hutton is being given a week's trial at Exeter City with a view to taking him on loan.

---

   OTHER NEWS ... Geraint Williams has been named as Leyton Orient's new manager until the end of the season ... ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ... Manchester City defender Micah Richards has been arrested in connection with an assault on a man outside a night club on Christmas Eve ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... The FA are to investigate how the ITV live coverage of the Liverpool v Everton FA Cup tie last night missed the goal two minutes form the end of extra time.  They missed the incident as they had fallen asleep, much like the rest of the audience, after a soporific 117 minutes of football preceding it.

   England Under-21s play Ecuador in a friendly in Malaga, Spain next Tuesday and Tom Huddlestone, Fraizer Campbell, Aaron Lennon and Jamie O'Hara are all included in the squad for the match.
   Former Spurs defender Stephen Kelly has joined Stoke City on loan from Birmingham City until the end of the season.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ... Middlesbrough have admitted being unable to control their players when they surrounded referee Mark Halsey after he sent off Didier Digard against West Bromwich Albion ... Shaun Wright-Phillips is to face an FA charge for a small retaliatory kick on Stoke City's Rory Delap in Saturday's match ... Jermaine Defoe is due to appear in court later this Spring on two series of charges - one for allowing someone to drive his vehicle without insurance, while in Hampshire, he faces three speeding charges ...

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Middlesbrough have admitted being unable to control their players, which explains their current league position.

   The Daily Star reports that Zenit St. Petersburg spent a large part of yesterday phoning Premier League clubs, including Tottenham, to try and get them to pay more than Arsenal to sign Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin.
   It is claimed that a persuading factor in Robbie Keane re-joining Tottenham was the offer of the team captaincy, with Ledley King being appointed club captain; something was confirmed by Harry Redknapp on the club website later in the day.  The Daily Mirror claim that Rafa Benitez told Keane that he would see out the rest of the season in the reserves if he did not move out of Anfield and Keane in turn said he only wanted to re-join Spurs on loan until the end of the season.  They also claim that the fee is £12 million now and rising to £15.5 million with add-ons.
   Harry Redknapp tonight received a Nationwide Lifetime Achievement Award at the HMV Football Extravaganza.
   Matt Eastley is looking to trace Tottenham fans with long memories who were at the 1967 FA Cup Final v Chelsea and can recount some details of the day for a project he is working on. Anyone who can assist Matt can contact the site on mehstg@blueyonder.co.uk with your details and we will pass them on.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Transfer deadline day, so here we go with all the rumours first (and as I am stuck at home, I can update this quicker than I normally would be able to !!)   ...
   Spurs have had a £15 million offer for Liverpool's Robbie Keane turned down, although Rafa Benitez has said that he is willing to do a deal if it involves winger Aaron Lennon going to Anfield, it says in the Daily Mirror.  The Sun says that Manchester City have only made an inquiry and not a bid, so with Harry Redknapp not wanting to let Lennon go, a deal will probably not happen.  However, the Daily Mail claim that a £15 million bid was accepted by Liverpool last night and Keane will sign today.
   Newcastle United and Sunderland both want to buy Darren Bent, but the player apparently wants to move to Everton, according to the Daily Mirror.  The Mail reckons Spurs are unwilling to let him go until at least one more forward is signed up.
   The Daily Mail claims Tottenham have asked to take 18 year old Internazionale striker Mario Balotelli on loan for the rest of the season.
   Carrying on with the rumours, the Mail claim that Spurs might make a £5 million bid for Reading's Stephen Hunt to resolve the problem on the left side of midfield.
   Sky Sports claim that Spurs are trying to sign Internazionale's Portuguese winger Ricardo Queresma on loan.
   Then they also claim that Aaron Lennon WILL be part of the deal to bring Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane.
   A swap deal from Newcastle United offering Obafemi Martins for Darren Bent was rumoured on Sky Sports, but the Geordie club denied it happened.
   The Daily Express claimed that Real Madrid had offered striker Javier Saviola to Spurs on loan until the end of the season.

CONFIRMATION
   Robbie Keane completed his move back to Tottenham from Liverpool at the cost of £12 million, which could rise to £19 million.
   Giovani Dos Santos' move to Fratton Park was called off after a medical at Portsmouth showed that he was not match fit.
   Internazionale suggested that Spurs would have to offer David Bentley or Jermaine Jenas in exchange for Ricardo Queresma and Chelsea came in at the last minute to use the link of Felipe Scolari, who was the player's national coach with Portugal, to seal his loan deal at Stamford Bridge.
   Reserve striker Tomas Pekhart has joined Slavia Prague on a 12 month loan deal.
   Former Spurs defender Calum Davenport has moved from West Ham United to Sunderland, initially on loan.
   Former Spurs striker Simon Clist has joined Oxford United from Forest Green Rovers.
   Former Spurs reserve midfielder Mark Hughes has left Chester City to join Barnet.
   Former Spurs striker Simon Clist has joined Oxford United from Forest Green Rovers.
 

   The reserve game against Chelsea at Brentford FC tonight has been called off.
   Striker Jermain Defoe will need surgery on the broken bone in his foot and will be out until April.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

---

  MEHSTG's spin story ...  BREAKING NEWS ... after Sky Sports News showed video of the Spurs player who made it to Spurs Lodge for training (which was cancelled), we can officially confirm that Roman Pavlyuchenko throws snowballs like a girl.  How Gareth Bale throws, we will never know, as he failed to get out of his car !!

   The papers are full of the "Robbie Keane to return to Tottenham" stories as he was omitted from the Liverpool squad for today's game against Chelsea, so Rafa will be livid.  Anyway, some say he will not be coming back, while others think he will make the return journey South, with Aaron Lennon going the other way in a deal totalling £15 million.  Manchester City are supposed to be interested, so don't hold your breath on that one.  Into the evening, the Daily Mail claimed that Spurs and Liverpool were in talks, with some way to go after Tottenham offered £10 million, but the Merseyside club were willing to be persuaded to part with the Republic of Ireland captain.
   An increased bid of £20 million for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz is also on the cards from both Spurs and Manchester City, so he will have a choice, although it is a bit of a Hobson's.
   Darren Bent is also the centre of speculation.  Amazing what a couple of goals can do !!  The striker is wanted on loan until the end of the season at Hull City, while Sunderland want to sign him for £10 million.
   Interestingly, some papers run the story that Spurs will be able to snap up Kenwyne Jones for just £6 million, if Sunderland are relegated this season.  It is dependent on them going down, but also, I guess anyone else will have the same opportunity, so he will have a bit of a wider choice than Santa Cruz.
   Charlton Athletic are keen on taking full back Chris Gunter on loan until the end of the season and with Pascal Chimbonda coming in to challenge Vedran Corluka, Spurs might be willing to loan him out, but he is seen as a long term prospect for Spurs and will be returning to the club should be go out on a temporary basis.
   Playing in the 3rd/4th place play-off in the Chivas tournament in Guadalajara, Tottenham gained third place with a penalty shoot-out win over  after the match finished 2-2.  Spurs scored through Harry Kane and Jon Obika before a late equaliser took the sides to penalty kicks.  Oscar Jansson saved one and the Mexicans missed one to allow Spurs the win the shoot-out 4-2.
   Troy Archibald-Henville's loan at Exeter City has been extended until the end of the season.

---

   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ...