White Hot Lines

   Spurs and Chelsea are considering £13 million moves for Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, who is seeking Champions League football according to one site on the internet.

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   Eidur Gudjohnsen has been told by Monaco that he can forget making his loan move to Tottenham permanent according to the Daily Mail, as there is no clause allowing a permanent deal to be concluded at the end of the loan.
   The Spurs Academy side drew 1-1 with the Japan national side in the Dallas Cup with Jesse Waller- Lassen scoring the goal.

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   The Daily Mirror claims that Tottenham may extend Eidur Gudjohnsen's loan from Monaco for a further 12 months when his loan spell ends in the summer.
   A goal from triallist Massimo Loungo and a penalty from Anton Blackwood gave Spurs Academy side a 2-1 win over Dallas Texans in the Dallas Cup in the USA today.
   The home match against Arsenal on Wednesday 14th April will be televised live on Sky Sports.
   The final league game of the season at Burnley on Sunday May 7th will kick off at 4:00 p.m..

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   CRIME WATCH ... Former Spurs midfielder Paul Gascoigne was today charged with drunk-driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance  ... 

   Tottenham, Manchester City and Stoke City are all looking at Getafe midfielder Pedro Leon the News of the World claims.  Scouts have been sent to watch the Spanish Under-21 man who his club want £8 million for.
   The Sunday Mirror reckon Spurs and Chelsea are both trying to sign Sani Emmanuel, a Nigerian 17 year old striker.  Voted player of the tournament in the recent World Under-17 Championships in his home country, his club - My People - are seeking a long term link up with the club he signs for rather than a transfer fee, as this would provide them with kits being provided and trials for their promising players.
   At Sunderland, where the team are at risk of becoming Spurs Reserves, Steve Bruce wants to pay £10 million for Jamie O'Hara and David Bentley, the Sunday People reports.  The piece also reports that Alan Hutton will make his loan move a permanent one in the summer for £4 million.
   Reports in the News of the World claim that former Spurs players Glenn Hoddle and Graeme Souness have both turned down the chance of managing West Ham United.

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   Tottenham beat Portsmouth 2-0 at White Hart Lane today in the Premier League.  For a match report, click here and for reaction click here. 
   Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch are due to appear on Sky Sports' "Goals on Sunday" tomorrow at 11:00.

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... On the same day that West Ham United owner David Gold came out and said that the manager Giancarlo Zola would not be sacked, it appears that the new regime has already axed the coach ... the team coach that is, with co-owner David Sullivan telling the players they will have to go to games using their own cars.  They will probably have to pay subs and get changed in the car park before the game next !!

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs go into the game with Aaron Lennon (groin), Carlo Cudicini (wrist and hip), Jermaine Jenas (groin), Ledley King (thigh) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) all still not ready for selection.  Jermain Defoe's hamstring pull still keeps him side-lined and defender Kyle Walker has an injured ankle, but hopes to be ready to play tomorrow.  Harry Redknapp could be without the players injured in Wednesday's FA Cup win over Fulham, when Wilson Palacios aggravated a groin injury, Roman Pavlyuchenko played with a hamstring strain and Sebastien Bassong picked up an ankle injury, while Vedran Corluka's ankle knock will definitely rule him out.
   PORTSMOUTH TEAM NEWS : -  Portsmouth also suffered injuries to players in midweek with Ricardo Rocha out with an injury to his cheekbone and Tommy Smith suffering a broken nose.  Former Spur Kevin Prince Boateng (knee), John Utaka (groin), Hassan Yebda (knee), Nadir Belhadj (hamstring), Tal Ben Haim (groin) and Bouba Papa Diop (knee) are all unlikely to play, while Arune Dindane will not feature because of a contractual issue that would result in Portsmouth having to pay his club Lens £4 million should he play one more game for the CSSCC.  Jamie O'Hara cannot play as the terms of his loan deal from Spurs means that he is not eligible to play against his parent club in the Premier League.
   For a preview of the Portsmouth game, click here.
   Tottenham have completed the transfer of Sandro to the club from Internacional of Brazil, after he passed a medical today.  The Spurs boss revealed that chairman Daniel Levy had made two visits to Brazil to thrash the deal out with the Internacional management.  The midfielder still needs to be granted a work permit to join Spurs.
   The club have returned figures for the year to 31st December 2009 with a revenue total of £53.5 million, which is down from £54.9million, but is encouraging as Spurs are playing without European football this season.
   The Daily Mail report that Lokomotiv Moscow will return at the end of the season to try and sign Roman Pavlyuchenko, although they are not prepared to pay big money (i.e. up to £20 million) for the in form striker.
   Scottish TV are currently running a series of programmes on players available to be picked for the best Scotland Greatest Team.  one of those up for selection is Alan Gilzean and they have a series of ex-team mates being interviewed and footage of him in action.  You can see the programme by visiting this link http://sport.stv.tv/greatest-team/players-managers/162994-alan-gilzean/
Thanks to Peter Tait for bringing this fantastic clip to our attention.

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   CRIME WATCH ... Manchester City Roberto Mancini has been charged with improper conduct after a scuffle with Everton boss David Moyes in Wednesday's match at Eastlands ... 

  Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is keen on signing midfielder Jamie O'Hara in the summer, but will face competition from Fulham and Birmingham City, according to the Daily Mirror.
   Spurs have been linked with a move for Lazio and former Aston Villa midfielder/defender Thomas Hitzlsperger, who has failed to make an impact in Italy, on the IMG Scouting website.

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... The West Ham United chairman David Sullivan has described his side's performance in the 1-3 home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers as "pathetic", "shambloic" and "appalling" and said "Nobody at the club should delude themselves that we are a good team."  Quite a perceptive chap really.

   Tottenham beat Fulham 3-1 in a Sixth Round replay at White Hart Lane tonight to reach the semi-final at Wembley on Sunday April 11th against Portsmouth.  For a match report, click here.  For reaction, click here.
   Jamie O'Hara has been slammed by Harry Redknapp for being quoted as saying he hopes Spurs lose to Fulham, so that he can play at Wembley with Portsmouth.  His loan arrangement at Fratton Park would preclude him playing should Tottenham reach the semi-final against Pompey.
   The away fixture with Manchester United has been moved back to Saturday April 24th with a 12:45 kick off for TV coverage from the intended date of Sunday 25th.  This change has been prompted by United's continued involvement in the Champions League.
   Harry Redknapp has said that he has no place in his squad for Joe Cole, despite rumours linking Spurs with a move for the Chelsea midfielder who is out of contract in the summer.
   Youth striker Harry Kane has been selected for the England Under-17 side for their Elite Group European Championship qualifiers at the end of this month.

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Having finally been given permission to sell players outside of the transfer window, Portsmouth's administrator said they might not sell any now !!

   Tottenham have announced that a deal is in place to sign Internacional midfielder Sandro subject to a medical.  The 21 year old will not join up with the club until Internacional's participation in the Copa Libertadores is over in the summer.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -   Spurs will be without Kyle Walker and Younes Kaboul (both cup-tied), Ledley King (thigh), Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko (both hamstring), Carlo Cudicini (wrist and hip), Aaron Lennon (groin), Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Jermaine Jenas (groin).  However, Harry Redknapp hopes that Tom Huddlestone may be ready to play after missing a couple of weeks with an ankle injury and that David Bentley will be sufficiently recovered form his virus to play a part.  Danny Rose may also be recovered from the knock he took on his knee in training.
   FULHAM TEAM NEWS : -   Fulham are without striker Andy Johnson and defender John Pantsil (both knee), while midfielder David Elm has been suffering with a virus.
   For a preview of tomorrow night's FA Cup tie with Fulham, click here.

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... On the day West Ham United lose 1-3 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and sit one place above the relegation zone, David Gold announced that his club and Newham Council are making an application to use the Olympic Stadium at Stratford after the 2012 Games for athletics and football.  Gold said that it would be good for a Premier League club to occupy the ground !!

   Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish says he thinks that his club will probably not be able to afford Roman Pavlyuchenko in the summer, as his price is sure to rise thanks to the rich vein of scoring form he is in at the moment.

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   Striker Robbie Keane has told The People that he intends to return to Spurs after his loan spell at Glasgow Celtic ends in the summer.  He said he misses his friends at White Hart Lane and also the tea ladies !!
   The People also claim that Harry Redknapp is eyeing a move for Burnley midfielder Chris Eagles.  Should the Clarets get relegated, Spurs might move for the 24 year old as he can play on either side of midfield.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Manager Steve Staunton has left bottom of the league club Darlington after five months ... 

   Tottenham beat Stoke City 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.  For a match report, click here and for reaction, click here.

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   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Tottenham continue to be without Ledley King (thigh), Jonathan Woodgate (groin), Aaron Lennon (groin), Carlo Cudicini (wrist and hip), David Bentley (hip), Jermaine Jenas (groin) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle).  Jermain Defoe will also miss the game with a hamstring tear jogging in training adding to Kyle Walker's broken wrist picked up in training along with Danny Rose's knee ligament injury.
   STOKE CITY TEAM NEWS : -  Salif Diao (calf) and James Beattie (knee) are both definitely out of the Spurs game on Saturday at the Britannia stadium.  Ryan Shawcross is back form suspension, but has an ankle problem, so is doubtful, while .
   For a preview of tomorrow's game at Stoke City, click here. 
   The hamstring tear suffered by Jermaine Defoe that will keep him out of the Stoke City game tomorrow will rule him out of selection for a couple of weeks.
   Tony Mowbray has said that Glasgow Celtic are unlikely to be able to keep hold of Spurs striker Robbie Keane following his loan move to Parkhead.  He said the club's owners are not likely to loosen the purse strings enough to equal the amount that Tottenham paid for the Irishman.
   The Daily Mirror reports that Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is keen to buy defender Alan Hutton at the end of the season, after being impressed by the Scot on a loan spell at the Stadium of Light.  A fee of £6 million has been mentioned.
   Harry Redknapp has told the press that Adel Taarabt, who is on loan at QPR, will return to the club next season ... unless Barcelona or Real Madrid phone about his availability !!

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Portsmouth manager Avram Grant is threatening to play a weakened side for the remainder of the club's league games in protest to the nine point deduction for going into administration.  This is a team who have been playing a weakened side all season because of the lack of money at the club.

   Tottenham's game against Manchester City, which was postponed on 6th March 2010, will now be played on Wednesday 5th May 2010 with an 8:00 p.m. kick off for screening live on Sky Sports.  If Tottenham reach the semi-final of the FA Cup to be played on 11th April 2010, the scheduled match at home to Arsenal will move to Wednesday 14th April 2010 with an 8:00 p.m. kick off with Sky also broadcasting this match.
   Adel Taarabt has told the London Evening Standard that he wished he had joined Arsenal instead of Spurs when he left RC Lens in France.
   The Daily Mirror claim that Aston Villa will launch a £9 million bid in the summer to buy Robbie Keane.
   Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has said that he wants to help Spurs qualify for the Champions League, but may not still be at the club next season to enjoy the benefits of the club's presence in the competition.
   The Daily Mail thinks that Aaron Lennon might return from injury for Tottenham's home match against Chelsea on April 17th.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Gary Johnson has left Bristol City as manager by mutual consent ... 

   Tom Huddlestone's ankle injury might not be as bad as first thought after the results of a second scan showed he will not be out long term, although the club have not stated when he will be ready to play again.
   Spurs players and management had a day out at horse racing at the Cheltenham festival today.
   Former Spurs defender Calum Davenport has had his contract with West Ham United terminated by mutual consent, having been given a £250,000 pay off.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Iain Dowie has been appointed as the new manger of Hull City ... Portsmouth have had their nine points deducted for going into administration ...

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... John Terry's car hit a security guard when he was leaving Stamford Bridge last night after their Champions League exit.  He was breathalysed and an investigation will be held into the matter by the Police.  Later Terry was seen confronting a referee about the incident.

   A number of sources claim that Spurs will complete the signing of Brazilian midfielder Sandro by the end of the week, with a fee already having been agreed with Internacional.  Sky Sports website says that Spurs will have to wait until Internacional's participation in the Copa Libertadores is over for Sandro to join up with the club and that they may have to appeal for a work permit, as the midfielder has only won one cap for his country so far.
   A Spurs reserve team beat West Ham United reserves 1-0 at Spurs Lodge this afternoon, with the only goal of the game coming from Adam Smith.

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Hull City are considering asking Terry Venables to come out of retirement to save them from relegation.

   Tom Huddlestone has extended his contract to keep him at the club until July 2015.
   Midfielder Ryan Mason has been recalled from his loan spell at Yeovil Town.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Hull City manager Phil Brown has been removed from his post and put on gardening leave ... 

   CRIME WATCH ... WBA and Plymouth Argyle have both been fined £12,500 for failing to control their players in a melee in their game last month, with £7,500 suspended pending further hearings ... 

   Harry Redknapp has said that Aaron Lennon is progressing very slowly, but is still not able to train with the first team squad yet.  There is no date set for his comeback, as he has been suffering problems with his groin injury as he tries to regain his fitness.

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   Tottenham beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 at White Hart Lane this afternoon.  Click here for a match report and reaction, click here.
   The Under-18s beat Norwich City 2-0 away, with the goals scored by Jake Nicholson and Kudos Oyenuga.

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   Jonathan Woodgate has had his groin injury operated on in Australia and the team who carried out the surgery are happy that this might do the trick for the Spurs centre-half, but he will not play again this season.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : - Spurs will be missing the bulk of their experienced players with Ledley King (thigh), Carlo Cudicini (hip and wrists), Jermaine Jenas (groin), Aaron Lennon (groin), David Bentley (groin) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) all out, but there are no further injuries to report.
   BLACKBURN ROVERS TEAM NEWS : -  Vince Grella's calf knock is making him an absentee and Lars Jacobsen's groin injury might rule him out, while Ryan Nelsen will miss out with an knee injury.  David Dunn, Brett Emerton, Junior Hollett, Franco Di Santo and Yildiray Basturk might all feature at some stage in the game.
   For a preview of the Blackburn game, click here.

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   Internacional's Brazilian midfielder Sandro is preparing for a summer £6 million move to Tottenham by learning English reports the Daily Mirror.
   The paper also carries a piece hinting that Spurs are looking for a Belgian club to take teenage Zambian full back Emmanuel Mbola on loan after they agreed a fee of £1 million to sign the 18 year old international from Pyunik Yerevan, his club in Armenia.

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   CRIME WATCH ... Nottingham Forest and Derby County have been fined £35,000 each for failing to control their players in a melee during the Championship game last month, with both sides having to pay £10,000 which had been suspended following the game between the two East Midlands side earlier in the season ... 

   Tottenham Reserves played a friendly against the visiting San Jose Earthquakes side at Spurs Lodge today and lost 0-1.
   The Sun carry a story from Wilson Palacios claiming that he is using his move to Spurs as an opportunity to earn a transfer to Real Madrid.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Cardiff city and Southend United have been given extensions to deal with the court cases surrounding their tax bills ... Blue Square Premier club Chester City were today wound up with the fans aiming to resurrect the city's football team in the Unibond League next season ...Conference North team Farsley Celtic were today disbanded with their expulsion from the league expected later this week  ...

   The Times claims that Sunderland are keeping an eye on Jamie O'Hara's situation as they try to complete their collection of all 11 former Spurs players.
   Roman Pavlyuchenko is to be a summer target for Lokomotiv Moscow according to the Daily Mail.

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   The FA Cup Sixth Round replay against Fulham will take place at White Hart Lane on Wednesday 24th March with the kick off at 19:45 and will be screened live on ITV1.
   The Daily Mail claims that Spurs are amongst a clutch of clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton, watching Cardiff City's 18 year old full back Adam Matthews.
   Spurs are also said to be keen on Rochdale's teenage centre half Craig Dawson, along with Fulham, according to the Daily Mirror.  The player is rated at £1 million.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Hereford United manager John Trewick has been sacked ... ...

   The semi-final draw for the FA Cup has pitched Spurs or Fulham against Portsmouth, with the game to be played at Wembley on April 10th or 11th.
   The Sunday Mirror claim that Jermaine Jenas is currently learning Italian as he prepares for a move to Internazionale in the summer.

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   Tottenham drew 0-0 with Fulham in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup this evening.  For a match report, click here.  For reaction, click here.
   Tottenham's Under-18 side drew 1-1 with Leicester City at Spurs Lodge with a goal from Tom Carroll.

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   Andros Townsend has been recalled from his loan spell at MK Dons, to act as cover for the current injury hit midfield at White Hart Lane.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs have a long list of injuries with Ledley King (knee); Tom Huddlestone (foot); Carlo Cudicini (hip and wrists); Jermaine Jenas (groin); Jonathan Woodgate (groin); Aaron Lennon (groin); David Bentley (hip). Jermain Defoe is doubtful with tight hamstrings from Wednesday's international friendly against Egypt.  Kyle Walker and Younes Kaboul are both cup-tied.
   FULHAM TEAM NEWS : -  Danny Murphy will face a fitness test on his injured groin in his bid to face his old team Spurs on Saturday evening.  Former Spurs loan defender Paul Konchesky might return from injury after his ankle problem has cleared up.  Definitely out are Andy Johnson (ankle), John Pantsil (knee) and Clint Dempsey (knee)
   The Daily Mirror claims that Palermo central defender Simon Kjaer will turn down moves to Spurs and Manchester United to join his national team-mate Daniel Agger at Liverpool.
   Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool are watching Joe Cole's situation at Stamford Bridge, where he has not been offered the £100,000 a week he wants and may leave for free in the summer.
   The London Evening Standard reports that Jonathan Woodgate has been taking advice from the New York Knicks basketball physio Dave Hancock on his injury and thinks he might now know what the source of the problem is.  He is due to head to Australia to seek more medical help to get him fit and playing again.
   Former Spurs defender Dean Austin is in the news in Scotland where he took money from Glasgow Celtic striker Shaun Maloney and that club's former winger Steve Guppy to invest in a villa in Spain, but the company organising the deal went bust leaving Maloney £125,000 out of pocket and Guppy losing £80,000, so the Daily Record reports.  Thanks to Peter Tait for bringing that to our attention.

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   The Spurs website have issued a statement to say that Jermaine Jenas had an operation in Germany yesterday on his groin and the surgeon hopes that the midfielder will make a quick recovery from the operation.  Tom Huddlestone will have treatment on his ankle ligament injury before having a MRI scan in two weeks time.
   For a preview of Saturday's FA Cup Sixth Round tie against Fulham, click here.
   The Premier League today decided against a play-off for the fourth Champions League place, as had been suggested.

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   CRIME WATCH ... Avram Grant has been fined £1,000 and warned about his future conduct after entering the field of play after the final whistle to confront referee Kevin Friend after the Portsmouth home match v Sunderland.  He was also given a £4,000 suspended fine ... Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson has been arrested after a head-butting incident in a Manchester club where the other person was singing Manchester United songs ...

   Jermain Defoe started the England friendly at Wembley against Egypt, which ended in a 3-1 home win, with two of the goals coming from Peter Crouch, who was a half-time substitute for Defoe.
   Wilson Palacios played 70 minutes of Honduras 0-2 defeat in Turkey in a friendly match.
   Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong played in the friendly in Italy that was drawn 0-0.  Bassong was substituted at half-time, while Assou-Ekotto played the whole game.
   Gareth Bale played 67 minutes of Wales' 0-1 friendly defeat by Sweden in Swansea, winning the Man of the Match award.
   Niko Kranjcar scored the only goal of the 1-0 win for Croatia over Belgium in Brussells, playing the whole game along with Vedran Corluka, while Spurs team-mate Luka Modric was substituted after 65 minutes.
   Alan Hutton was in the Scotland side that beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in Glasgow tonight.
   Giovani dos Santos lasted the 90 minutes of Mexico's 2-0 friendly win over New Zealand in America.
   Kyle Walker played for England's Under-21s in their 1-2 defeat in the European Championship qualifier at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium tonight.  Kyle Naughton was an unused substitute.
   The TeamTalk website reports that Spurs may rekindle their interest in Ajax defender Urby Emanuelson, who is frustrated that the Dutch Eredivise club have not offered him a new contract.
   Spurs and Valencia are watching 24 year old Almeria keeper Diego Alves, who hopes to move to a big club and might cost £10 million.
   Former Spurs defender Ben Thatcher has left Ipswich Town with his contract being terminated by mutual consent.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander collapsed and died suddenly today at the age of 53 ... 

   Tom Huddlestone will see a specialist later this week to assess the degree of damage caused to his ankle ligaments following a tackle on him by Johnny Heitinga in Sunday's game against Everton.
   Spurs have recalled Jake Livermore from his loan spell at Peterborough United following a number of injuries to Spurs midfielders.
   Spurs have announced that Darren Eales will be joining the club in the summer as Club Secretary from West Bromwich Albion, where he held the posts of Club Secretary, Board Director and Legal Director.  Eales will replace John Alexander, who is moving to Manchester United in a similar capacity.
   Robbie Keane played for the Republic of Ireland in their 0-2 friendly loss to Brazil at Highbury tonight.  Former Spurs defender Gilberto was an unused substitute for the South American side.
   Gareth Bale won the EON Player of the round in the FA Cup Fifth round for his performances in the games against Bolton Wanderers.
   Tottenham are 15th in the world in the latest Deloitte Touche Football Rich List.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Neil Warnock has taken over as manager of Queens Park Rangers ... and in a strange reversal of roles, former QPR boss Paul Hart has filled the manager's post at Crystal Palace vacated by Warnock ... 

   Winger Aaron Lennon will have to rest his groin injury for another six weeks before he might be back in action., thus ruling him out until April.
   Goalkeeper David Button's loan at Shrewsbury Town has been extended until the end of the season.

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