White Hot Lines

   Giovani dos Santos has been selected in Mexico's 23 man World Cup squad .
   Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong have been selected in the Cameroon World Cup squad.
   Dean Parrett scored the goal that took England Under-19s through to the finals of the European Championships after a 1-1 draw with Ukraine in the elite qualifying match was enough to see them reach the finals later this summer in Northern France.  Andros Townsend came on as substitute and helped set up the goal, while Steven Caulker played the whole 90 minutes.  John Bostock was an unused sub.

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   OTHER NEWS ... John Ward has been named as the new manager of Colchester United ...

   Luka Modric has signed a new six year deal with Tottenham that extends his contract to 2016 after Daniel Levy travelled to Croatia at the weekend to seal the midfielder's agreement.
   Tom Huddlestone started his first game for England in the 2-1 friendly win against Japan in Graz, Austria today.  He was substituted at half-time and Aaron Lennon, who also started, completed the 77 minutes before going off.  Jermain Defoe, Ledley King, Peter Crouch and Michael Dawson were all unused substitutes.
   The News of the World report that Robbie Keane may be having talks with Martin O'Neill about a move to Aston Villa in the summer, with the only hindrance the asking price for the striker, which may rule out a switch to Villa Park.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Dagenham & Redbridge will be playing in League One next season after beating Rotherham United 3-2 in the League Two play-off at Wembley this afternoon ... England Under-17s won the European Championship with a 2-1 win over Spain in Lichtenstein tonight ...

   The Daily Mail links Spurs and Manchester City with an interest in West Ham United defender Matthew Upson should he be allowed to leave Upton Park.
   Former Spurs midfielder Dean Marney has left Hull City to join Burnley.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Millwall won promotion to the Championship today, beating Swindon Town 1-0 in the League One play-off final ... 

   Goalkeeper David Button has signed a new deal that will take him through to the end of the 2012-13 season.
   Robbie Keane scored twice, one a penalty, as the Republic of Ireland beat Algeria 3-1 in a friendly international in tonight.
   Stephen Caulker and John Bostock were in the England Under-19 side from the start as their European Elite Qualifying group games continued with a 4-0 win over Bosnia-Herzogovina in Kiev today.  Bostock scored one of the goals and Andros Townsend joined his club-mates on the pitch as a second half substitute.

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   OTHER NEWS ... France will be the hosts for the 2016 European Championships ... FIFA have dismissed the allegations made by Lord Triesman in a private conversation  which was recorded and published in the Mail on Sunday concerning a deal between Spain and Russia to bribe referees at the World Cup ...

   The Sun reports that Spurs and Liverpool are both keen on 21 year old, 6'5" Croatian keeper Marijan Antolovich, who plays for HNK Cibalia
   Harry Redknapp is reported in the Sun as stating he does not intend on making summer moves for Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill nor Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland.
   The Daily Star claims that Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole will have to take a reduction in his £5 million a year salary if he wants to join Tottenham.
   Dean Parrett and Stephen Caulker started the England Under-19 match against the Republic of Ireland in Ukraine today, which England won 1-0.  Parrett scored the only goal of the match in the first half and both John Bostock and Andros Townsend came off the bench in the second half.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Everton are to ask £15 million for South African midfielder Steven Pienaar should he fail to agree a new deal, in an attempt to put off Tottenham the Daily Mirror says.
   Aston Villa central defender Curtis Davies is a £7 million target for Spurs according to the Daily Mail.
   The Mail also reports that Lokomotiv Moscow are still interested in Roman Pavlyuchenko and may offer Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie in part exchange for the Russian forward.
   The Sun claims Tottenham are to make a £9 million offer to Manchester City for defender Micah Richards.
   Luka Modric played for Croatia in their 0-0 friendly draw in Estonia.
   Mexico were beaten 2-1 in Holland tonight, with Giovani dos Santos coming on as a second half substitute.
   Thanks to John Gough for informing MEHSTG that Kenny Flint died on May 21st.  The former Spurs winger was with the club from 1947 to 1950 and died in Enfield, where he had resided for many years.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Daily Mirror says that Spurs have put Jermaine Jenas and Robbie Keane up for sale and Aston Villa are interested in both players.  The article also claims that Spurs are to move for Craig Bellamy, but the Manchester City striker does not want to move back to London.  Hurrah !!
   The Daily Mail reckon that Spurs are ready to move for Steven Pienaar, who has given his agent three weeks to thrash out a deal with the South African's club before calling it a day at Goodison Park.
   Goalkeeper Lee Butcher has been released by Tottenham and has joined Leyton Orient on a one year deal.  The 21 year old was on loan at Brisbane Road earlier this season
   Robbie Keane played 62 minutes of the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 friendly win over Paraguay in Dublin tonight.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Ledley King played the whole game for England and scored the first goal against Mexico in a friendly at Wembley tonight.  Peter Crouch made Ledley's goal and got the second himself, while Jermain Defoe was a 46th minute substitute for Crouch and Tom Huddlestone (62) and Aaron Lennon (77) also got appearances in the side from the bench, where Michael Dawson was an unused substitute.  Giovani dos Santos played 72 minutes from the start for Mexico.
   The Daily Mail claims that when Avram Grant is installed as the new manager of West Ham United, he will make a move for Jamie O'Hara, who he had on loan at Portsmouth last season and for former Spurs midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who will leave the CSSCC this summer.
   It is alleged on ESPN's website that Harry Redknapp is ready to sell Jamie O'Hara, with a price of £8 million quoted.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Aston Villa will sign Robbie Keane for £15 million from Spurs if they receive £30 million for James Milner according to the Sunday Mirror.
   The paper also claims Spurs are to make a move to link Harry Redknapp up with his former West Ham United midfielder Joe Cole, who will be leaving Chelsea on a free transfer this summer.
   Eduardo Ledesma, a 24 year old Paraguayan defensive midfielder who plays for Atletico Lanus in Argentina, is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, the Mirror reports.  Liverpool, Spurs, Everton, Fulham, West Ham United and Sunderland will have officials watching him in his country's friendly in Dublin on Tuesday to run the rule over the player who it is said will be a big hit in the World Cup finals this summer.
   The Mail on Sunday claim Chelsea are to make a £26 million bid for Luka Modric.
   Luka Modric was instrumental in Croatia's 2-0 friendly win over Wales in Osijek tonight.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The Daily Mail claim that Spurs are looking to increase the wages of Luka Modric and extend his contract to ward off the advances expected form Manchester United and Chelsea in the summer.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Blackpool will be playing in the Premier League next season after beating Cardiff City 3-2 in the Championship Play-off final at Wembley this afternoon ... Internazionale beat Bayern Munchen 2-0 in the San Bernabeu stadium tonight to lift the Champions League trophy ...

   The Sun reports Eidur Gudjohnsen, who has been on loan at Spurs from Monaco since January, is a loan target for Aston Villa, who want him for the whole of next season as Tottenham have not made a move to sign him on a permanent deal as yet.
   Newly promoted Newcastle United are looking at a move for Jermaine Jenas, according to the Sun.  Former Spurs assistant manager and now Newcastle manager Chris Hughton knows Jenas from their time at White Hart Lane together and sees his experience as useful to the side back in the Premier League.  A fee of £5 million is being mentioned, with Harry Redknapp not resistant to the midfielder leaving, as Jenas has fallen out of the first team reckoning this season and may welcome a return to his former club.
   Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is a target for Tottenham, who might be willing to offer Robbie Keane or Jermaine Jenas to the Midlands club in part-exchange according to a report in the Daily Star, although the Guardian say that Manchester City are also in for the former Watford man..
   Former Spurs winger Mark Robson has been appointed as assistant manager of Gillingham.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Andy Hessenthaler has been named as the new manager of Gillingham, returning to the post he held in 2004 ... 

   Details of the re-submitted plans for the new ground have been revealed on the Spurs website (click here and here) reveal plans for the six listed buildings to remain, including the Red House, the Dispensary (the building next to the Red House), the White Hart pub and the old Spurs Supporters' Club building at Warmington House.  The main gates to the club will remain in place between the Red House and the White Hart pub, with a statue of Bill Nicholson in legendary his pose between them will be put in place.  A raised area to access the ground will be behind these buildings, with a Spurs store at ground level beneath it.
   The Spurs Legends side will be playing against Letchworth Eagles FC at Pixmore Plain on Legends Lane off the Baldock Road (A 505), Letchworth SG6 2EN (click here for location) this Sunday (23rd May) with a 14:00 kick off.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Aidy Boothroyd has left Colchester United as their manager and will take over at Coventry City ... Avram Grant resigned today as boss of CSSCC Portsmouth ... Howard Webb has been appointed as referee for Saturday's Champions League final.  Heaven help them !! ...

   The Daily Mirror runs a report indicating West Ham United re-igniting their interest in Alan Hutton.
   Spurs are entering into talks to buy Galatasaray's Turkish midfielder Arda Turan, according to the Daily Mail
   The Daily Star say that Spurs will use their presence in the Champions League to interest Ajax striker Luis Suarez.
   Sky Sports claim that Spurs have had former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi watched playing for Villareal, along with Liverpool, Arsenal and City and Italian clubs Fiorentina, AS Roma, Juventus and Napoli.
   Tottenham will this week re-submit their plans for the new stadium, which have been amended to take account of the earlier consultation at the Planning stage.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Carlo Cudicini has signed a new deal with Tottenham until 2011 as he makes a very good recovery from his motor bike accident and intends to train through the summer to regain his fitness and strength..
   The Times report that Roman Pavlyuchenko was back in Russia at the weekend and watched Lokomotiv Moscow sparking ideas that he intends to sign for the club.  The Lokomotiv president claimed that they would be entering into negotiations with Spurs to try and sign the striker.
   West Ham United have apparently pulled out of any interest in Ipswich Town's 17 year old forward Connor Wickham and that leaves Tottenham a clear run to pay £5 million for the talented striker.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... FIFA have said today that anyone who feints at the end of their run-up to take a penalty will be required to take it again.  They will also receive a yellow card for "unsporting behaviour, after receiving smelling salts.

   A quiet Spurs news day with no rumour or fact in the media.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Ledley King has signed a new contract with Spurs, keeping him at White Hart Lane until 2012.
   Chelsea are planning a bid for midfielder Luka Modric according to the Mail On Sunday.
   Spurs, meanwhile, are looking at a £6 million offer for Manchester City defender Micah Richards according to the Sunday Mirror.
   And the defensive targets do not stop there, with the News Of The World claiming Tottenham are after Bordeaux's 24 year old full back Benoit Tremoulinas.
   The same paper has said that Spurs and Sevilla are alert to the fact that Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been told he has not future at Anfield and will be available for £9 million, while the Sunday People reckon Spurs will offer £5 million for the Israeli international.
   Former Spurs defender Chris Perry has been released by Southampton.
   Former Spurs youth midfielder Luke Guttridge has been released by Northampton Town.
   Former Spurs midfielder Kevin Watson has left his coaching position at Luton Town.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Oxford United returned to league football after winning the Conference Premier play-off 3-1 against York City at Wembley this evening ... Lord Triesman has resigned as Chairman of the FA and Head of the World Cup 2018 bid team after allegations in a Sunday tabloid ...

   The Daily Mirror reckon that Lokomotiv Moscow will make a summer move for Roman Pavlyuchenko, offering somewhere nearer the £15 million Spurs have been asking than the Russian club wanted to pay in January.
   Rochdale defender Craig Dawson, who is wanted by Spurs and Fulham, has been strongly linked with a move to Middlesbrough in the Daily Mail.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Chelsea beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the FA Cup Final to complete the domestic double ... 

   The Daily Star claims that Spurs will sell Jermaine Jenas and Robbie Keane to launch summer bids for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Chelsea midfield man Joe Cole.
   The Daily Mirror reports that Sunderland are only willing to pay about half of the £7 million Spurs are demanding for defender Alan Hutton.
   Former Spurs centre-half Gary Doherty has been released by Norwich City along with former Spurs striker Paul McVeigh.
   Former Spurs youth striker Lee Hodges has been released by Torquay United.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Preston North End are the latest club to face a winding up order from HM Revenue and Customs ... 

   A swap deal involving Roman Pavlyuchenko and Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been mooted in the Daily Mail.
   Former Spurs youth defender Danny Hutchins has been transfer listed by Yeovil Town.
   The Daily Mail also claimed that the friendly set-up at the Spurs Lodge training ground against Chelsea was a showcase match, with bosses and scouts invited to look at the players on show.  However, Talksport spoke to agent Phil Smith and he said it is normal practice to try to find players new clubs, even if they did not command a fee, but the matches were also used for trying to find suitable clubs for players to go to on loan for the following season.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Tottenham beat Chelsea 5-3 in a specially arranged friendly at Spurs Lodge today.  Jon Obika hit four goals and the other was scored by John Bostock.
   Giovani dos Santos has been included in Mexico's preliminary squad for the World Cup finals.
   Former Spurs midfielder Gary Stevens has gone to Azerbaijan to be assistant manager to Tony Adams at Qabala FC.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Atletico Madrid won the Europa League tonight beating Fulham 2-1 after extra time in Hamburg ... 

   CRIME WATCH ... El Salvador have been banned from international football for government interference in the game by refusing to recognise local officials ... 

   Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup squad of 30 players includes Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.
   Brazil have named Heurelho Gomes as one of the goalkeepers in their squad of 23 for the South Africa World Cup.
   Wilson Palacios is in the provisional Honduras squad for the World Cup Finals.
   Both Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong have been selected in the preliminary Cameroon 30 man World Cup squad .
   The Daily Mail reports that Tottenham may be interested in an £18 million bid for Sevilla's Brazilian international striker Luis Fabiano.  The story reckons Harry Redknapp is seeking a forward who can play on his own to facilitate a five man midfield and that the Spurs boss has also been linked with an interest in Klaas Jan Huntelaar of AC Milan.
   The Daily Star claim that Chelsea will make a £20 million bid for Croatian midfielder Luka Modric.
   Former Spurs defender and Assistant Manager Chris Hughton won the LMA's award for the Championship Manager of the Year managing Newcastle United to the title.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Roy Hodgson has been voted Manager of the Year by the League Managers Association ... West Ham United have sacked their manager Gianfranco Zola ...

   CRIME WATCH ... Roger Johnson has been fined £7,500 by the FA for his outburst about referee Martin Atkinson awarding a penalty against him in the game against Aston Villa in April.

   Gareth Bale will miss Wales' away friendly in Croatia with treatment needed to a knee injury he has picked up.
   The Spurs Academy side finished their league season with a 3-0 win over Chelsea at Spurs Lodge, which left them second behind Leicester City in their division.  The goals came from Shaquille Colthurst and two from Darren McQueen.
   Former Spurs defender Jamie Clapham has been released by Notts. County.
   Former Spurs defender Mark Stimson left Gillingham as their manager today by mutual consent.
   Former Spurs defender and assistant manager John Gorman has been appointed as assistant manager at MK Dons.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Karl Robinson has been named as the new manager of MK Dons at the tender age of 29 ... 

   Tottenham lost 2-4 against Burnley at Turf Moor this afternoon.  Click here for a match report and for reaction click here.
   The News of the World claim that Harry Redknapp is keen to sign Real Madrid's 32 year old striker Raul to boost the Champions League campaign next season.  The Real legend may be allowed to move on a free transfer or for a nominal fee if he is not required by the Spanish club for next season and Tottenham are willing to offer a two year deal.
   Over at the Mail on Sunday, they report that Spurs are going to snap up Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy for £6 million after a falling out with manager Roberto Mancini (surprise, surprise).

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   Former Spurs junior Glenn Poole has been released by AFC Wimbledon.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Leeds United gained the second automatic promotion place to the Championship today ... Gillingham were the last team to be relegated from League One today ... Grimsby Town were today relegated to the Blue Square Conference Premier ...

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Tottenham will be without Carlo Cudicini (wrist and hip), Jonathan Woodgate (groin), Ledley King (knee), Niko Kranjcar (ankle) and Vedran Corluka (ankle), while there are doubts about the participation of Heurelho Gomes (thigh).  Sebastien Bassong is likely to come into the side in place of King.
   BURNLEY TEAM NEWS : -  Midfielder Chris McCann is still sidelined with his long-term knee injury, although some reports claim he might be in the squad after a long time out, while an ankle injury might keep Clarke Carlisle out of the match.
   For a preview of the Burnley match, click here.
   Harry Redknapp has been named as the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Season.
   Gareth Bale has signed a new deal with Spurs to keep him at the club until 2014.
   The Sun claims that Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole wants to join Spurs now they have a Champions League spot for free in the summer.
   The Daily Star reckons that Harry Redknapp's £40 million transfer fund will be partly spent on Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy, both former players under him at West Ham United
   The Guardian claims that Redknapp will receive a seven figure bonus for his work securing fourth place and that a longer contract will be in the offing.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   The game at Burnley will be televised live on ESPN.
   Middlesbrough have said they would like to make defender Kyle Naughton's loan deal permanent or arrange a season long loan for 2010/11.
   The Daily Star reveals that Arsenal bound Maroune Chamakh turned down Spurs and Liverpool before agreeing to join the Highbury side.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Oldham Athletic have sacked their manager Dave Penney ... Portsmouth are £135 million in debt ...

   CRIMEWATCH ... Hartlepool have been docked three points and given a suspended fine of £10,000 for playing an illegible player who should of been serving a suspension, thus putting them in the relegation zone of League One ... 

   Tottenham beat Manchester City 1-0 at Eastlands tonight.  For a match report, click here and for reaction click here.
   Tottenham's win qualifies them for the Champions League for the first time.
   In the Daily Mirror, they claim that Spurs might offer striker Robbie Keane to Everton to try and tempt them into releasing midfielder Steven Pienaar to come to White Hart Lane.
   Spurs welcomed back goalkeeper David Button from his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town today.
   Harry Redknapp caused a stir ahead of tonight's game by claiming Manchester City "bullied" Tottenham over the purchase of Craig Bellamy, threatening to buy Wilson Palacios, who was in the middle of negotiations with THFC, if Spurs did not drop out of the running for the Welsh forward.  City have issued a denial and are consulting their lawyers on the comments, with a view to taking legal action.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ...  ... 

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS: -  Ledley King and Heurelho Gomes face late fitness tests for the game at Eastlands tomorrow night.  Carlo Cudicini (wrists/hip), Niko Kranjcar (ankle), Vedran Corluka (ankle) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are all ruled out.
   MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS : -   Joleon Lescott's hamstring problem will rule him out for the rest of the Premier League season and City will also be missing Stuart Taylor (knee), Shay Given (shoulder), Martin Petrov (knee), Stephen Ireland (ankle) and Michael Johnson (knee).  Gareth Barry's thigh muscle pull might make him a doubt for the match with Spurs, but some reports claim he will be ready to play.
   For a preview of tomorrow's game at Manchester City, click here.
   The Daily Mirror go one up on the Daily Mail story of yesterday by saying Spurs are preparing a £6 million bid for Ipswich Town's Connor Wickham.
   Eidur Gudjohnsen has issued a statement on the Spurs website confirming he intends to take legal action against the Daily Star who have claimed he made a Nazi salute, the photo of which, the striker claims, is him putting a finger to his lips and pointing with the other hand.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Coventry City manager Chris Coleman was sacked today ... 

   The Daily Mail claims Spurs will make a £5 million bid for Ipswich Town's 17 year old striker Connor Wickham, with the promise of loaning him back to the Suffolk club for the next season.
   For a preview of Wednesday's game at Manchester City, click here.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Hull City were relegated from the Premier League this afternoon ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Arsene Wenger was unhappy today about Blackburn Rovers' tactics in their 2-1 win over Arsenal.  He felt that they shouldn't be allowed to put pressure on his goalkeeper from corners.

   The News of the World claim that Harry Redknapp will be offered a new deal to keep him as Spurs manager until 2013, with a £500,000 bonus if he gets the club into the Champions League.
   Speculation over Luka Modric's future again feature in the papers, with the NoTW claiming that Manchester United are torn between Modric and Joe Cole, with the free transfer of the Chelsea midfielder tempting them.  However, if United do go for Modric, then Redknapp might move for Cole.
   Another story in the NoTW follows the thread about Modric's departure to United by claiming that the money received might fund a move for either West Ham United's Carlton Cole or Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones, as Tottenham look for a new centre-forward.
   Hamit Altintop is a wanted man according to the NoTW, with Newcastle joining Spurs, Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray in the hunt for the 27 year old Turkish Bayern Munich midfielder, who is  available on a free transfer.
   Meanwhile over at the Mail on Sunday, they report that Bayern Munich have made Heurelho Gomes their target to replace their current goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt.
   Paul Hart's role as caretaker manager at Crystal Palace will end after today's relegation decider at Sheffield Wednesday and the MoS claim that Harry Redknapp will snap him up and add him to the coaching staff at White Hart Lane.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Sheffield Wednesday were relegated to League One this afternoon ... Steve McLaren, titled the Wally with the Brolly after England were knocked out of Euro 2008 qualifiers in the rain by Croatia, has won the Dutch title with FC Twente Enschede ...

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... .

   Tottenham beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at White Hart Lane this afternoon.  Click here for a match report.  Reaction to follow.
   Benoit Assou-Ekotto has done an interview in the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/01/benoit-assou-ekotto-tottenham-hotspur) stating his philosophy about football.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Wycombe Wanderers were relegated from League One today ...