White Hot Lines  

   Jermain Defoe was at the centre of an injury scare in training today, but after X-rays, his foot showed no broken bones and it is thought he will be ready to resume training in a couple of days.
   Former Spurs youngster Luke Medley has joined Aldershot on loan for a month from Mansfield Town.

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   No real news about Spurs today.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Birmingham City won the League Cup Final this afternoon with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Six years and still no silverware.

   Dean Richards, the former Spurs central defender, died this morning after suffering a long illness, aged 36.  MEHSTG would like to extend their condolences to all his family and friends.  For an article about his career, click here.
   The Metro claims that a dressing room row between Harry Redknapp and Alan Hutton may spell the end of the Scottish full-back's time at Tottenham, with the paper claiming he will be allowed to leave in the summer.  With some papers linking Tottenham with a move for Turkish full back Gokhan Gonul, the Times reckons that Spurs will make Kyle Walker their first choice right back when he returns from his loan spell at Aston Villa at the end of the season.
   Former Spurs winger Peter Taylor has left the Bradford City manager's post by mutual consent after today's match .
   Tottenham's Under-18s beat Bristol City 2-1 away today, with Jesse Waller-Lassen and Massimo Luongo scoring the Spurs goals.

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   MEHSTG's spin story ...  Allegations are coming out of Chelsea's training ground that Ashley Cole that he got his first shot on target this season ... hitting a student on work experience at the Blues training ground with a air rifle pellet. 

   The Daily Mirror reports that Spurs are one of several clubs, including Bayern Munich and Barcelona,  looking at 26 year old Fenerbahce full back Gokhan Gonul.

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   The game due to be played this weekend against Arsenal has now been re-arranged for Wednesday 20th April at 19:45 p.m., although if they get through in the FA Cup, it might be moved again.
   Live TV coverage of some of our games have required them to be rescheduled too.  Our away game against Manchester City has been moved from Saturday 16th April will now kick off at 13:30 on Sunday 17th April for Sky Sports to cover the game.  The visit to Chelsea on April 30th will now have a 17:30 p.m. kick off to be screened on ESPN.
   The Metro claims that Spurs might have to do battle with Liverpool for the signature of Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam in the summer.

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish recently took new signing Andy Carroll to a Boyzone concert, followed by a visit to an ice-cream parlour and then he put him straight to bed, as all the player look young these days to the Scottish boss.

   Spurs are to travel to Dubai for a week's warm weather training before they meet Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next Premier League match on 6th March.
   Andros Townsend has returned to Spurs from his loan arrangement at Watford after making only three appearances.  The young winger was due to stay until the end of the season, but Hornets manager Malky Mackay said the move was not working out for either party.

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   Tottenham lost 1-3 to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road tonight.  Click here for a match report.
   Spurs recalled Danny Rose from his loan at Bristol City, where he was due to stay until the end of the season and he went straight into the squad for tonight's game at Blackpool.
   David Beckham thanked Spurs for the time he has been training with the squad ahead of the MLS season.
   Young defender Nathan Byrne has joined Brentford on a one month loan deal.
   The Under-18s game at home to MK Dons has been re-arranged for Saturday 2nd April with an 11:00 kick off.

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   TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS : -  Rafael van der Vaart will miss the game at Bloomfield Road with an aggravation of his calf injury, while Ledley King (groin), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Vedran Corluka (ankle), Jonathan Woodgate (groin), Younes Kaboul (knee) and Gareth Bale (back) are also ruled out.
   BLACKPOOL TEAM NEWS : -  Saleheddine Sbia and Kornilenko are both not match fit, while knee injuries rule out Paul Rachubka, Matthew Gilks and Billy Clarke.  Chris Basham's broken leg will keep him out for the rest of the season and defender Stephen Crainey will be side-lined with an ankle injury.
   For a preview of tomorrow night's match against Blackpool, click here.
   Harry Redknapp revealed today that the club are to make an offer of a new deal for Jonathan Woodgate, as they want to keep him at the club.
   For his head-butt on Joe Jordan in last week's Champions League match, AC Milan midfielder Gennarro Gattuso was given a four game ban by UEFA.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Plymouth Argyle have been given a10 point penalty after engaging an administrator to sort out their financial situation  ... 

   The News of the World claim that Manchester United want to sign a midfielder in the summer to replace Paul Scholes and they have set their sights on Luka Modric, willing to pay £35 million.
   In the Sunday Express, they report that Internazionale are willing to bid £10 million for Sandro.
   Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all said to be watching Ipswich Town's young striker Connor Wickham with a view to a £12 million move in the summer.
   The Sunday Mirror claims that should Harry Redknapp be implicated in the tax fraud case the Police are bringing against him in the summer, they are thought to be identifying Everton manager David Moyes as his replacement.

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   Frank Lampard is touting his uncle Harry Redknapp for the England manager's job when Fabio Capello's contract ends, but that is probably because he wants to stop Tottenham's progress as much as he wants to keep his place in the England side.

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   The Daily Mirror claims tat Spurs are ready to offer Ipswich Town £15 million for 17 year old striker Connor Wickham.
   Young goalkeeper Mirko Ranieri has joined Basingstoke Town on loan for a month.
   Tottenham's Under-18 FA Premier Academy League match against Leicester City tomorrow will kick-off at Noon at Spurs Lodge.

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   Vedran Corluka will be out of action for about four weeks after a scan showed he has suffered a sprain of his ankle joint, which will require a protective boot until he resumes light training next week and full training approximately two weeks after that.
   Further reports on the incidents in Tuesday's game in Milan are breaking out, with stories including Gattuso continued his rage in the tunnel and he and Sebastien Bassong had to be separated by Zlatan Ibrahimovich, who picked them up - one in each arm and told them to calm down.  Other reports claim that Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alessandro Nesta had to calm the AC Milan captain down before he got to the dressing room.  UEFA have confirmed that they will charge Gattuso with gross unsporting conduct.
   The Sun report that Tottenham are expected to win the race for Sevilla's Brazilian striker Fabiano ahead of Juventus, AC Milan and AS Roma, with a fee of £14 million quoted.
   On the TalkSport website, they claim that Internazionale were so impressed with Sandro's performance for Spurs against city rivals AC Milan, that they will launch a bid for the Brazilian midfielder in the summer valued at around £10 million.  After Tuesday, if Tottenham were to let him go, which they probably wouldn't want to now, he would be worth much more than that.
   The Metro resurrects the Roman Pavlyuchenko to Sunderland in the summer rumour.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Ticket prices for the Champions League final at Wembley this May have been announced by UEFA, with cheapest for the club's 21,000 allocation being around £80 each, but a £26 booking fee has to be paid.  Top prices are around £150 for tickets released to go for general sale next week ... 

   UEFA are to start looking at the head butt on Joe Jordan by AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso after yesterday's Champions League game at the San Siro.
   Jonathan Woodgate has been hit with a new injury following his appearance as a substitute in last night's game against AC Milan, as it was revealed that he has had a scan that showed an adductor muscle strain.
   Sevilla look likely to part company with Brazilian striker Fabiano, who almost left in January, with Internazionale, Santos and Corinthians all interested, but he is unhappy as he feels he has gone as far as he can at the Spanish club.  Tottenham have been thrown in among the interested clubs as they have been linked with him in the past.
   TalkSport's website links Spurs and Newcastle United with Dinamo Zagreb's 21 year old playmaker Milan Badelj, who would cost £3.5 million.  Lazio and Bayer Leverkusen are also said to be monitoring the player who might be allowed to leave in the summer

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   Tottenham beat AC Milan 1-0 in the Champions League Round of 16 First Leg at the San Siro tonight.  For a match report click here.
   The TalkSport website claims that Spurs and Liverpool will both be in for Wolfsburg central defender Simon Kjaer in the summer, after the German club announced that they are looking to sell the Danish international on at the end of the season.
   The Daily Mail says that Spurs will not stand in Harry Redknapp's way, should he be offered the England manager's job at the end of Fabio Capello's contract in 2012.  However, his chances of being offered the post are hanging on the outcome of his July court case for tax fraud.

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   Former Spurs defender Chris Perry is running in the London Marathon for a Motor Neurone Disease charity and if you would like to sponsor him, please visit the site set up to receive donations at http://www.justgiving.com/christopher-perry.
   Last week was Apprentice Week, backed by club captain Ledley King and we got a late notification about it, but if you want to know more, click here to read about the choices available.

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Three times World Footballer of the Year Ronaldo announced that he was retiring from football because of a medical condition that slows his metabolism meaning he cannot stop putting on weight.

   The Sunday People claims that Juventus will make a £5 million bid for full back Alan Hutton in the summer.
   The same paper reckons that Spurs are winning the race to sign Ipswich Town wonder-kid Connor Wickham in the summer transfer window, with the 17 year old striker rated at £8 million - £10 million, there is also interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.
   The Sunday Mirror reports that Manchester United have made Gareth Bale their major summer transfer target with a fee of over £40 million mentioned for the Welsh wing back, with Real Madrid and Barcelona expected to enter the bidding too.
   Some useful information has been received from Doug Bagley (thanks !) for anyone making the trip to Milan this week ... click here for details.
   For a preview of the Champions League game against AC Milan on Tuesday, click here.

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   Tottenham beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light this evening.  For a match report, click here.
    Speculating that with Niko Kranjcar and David Bentley set to leave White Hart Lane in the summer, the Metro reckon Spurs will make a move for Sunderland midfielder Kieron Richardson.
   Spurs beat MK Dons Under-18s 3-2 away this morning, with Shaqille Coulthirst scoring a hat-trick.
   For an edited version of Wyart Lane's comments on the Olympic Stadium decision to the Guardian, click here.

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   The occupation of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium at Stratford has been awarded to West Ham United as preferred bidders.  The vote in favour of West Ham United's bid was 14-0.  The decision chose the Irons over Tottenham although the matter has to be ratified by the Government and the Mayor of London, but it is expected they will rubber-stamp the choice made by the Olympic Park Legacy Company.  Spurs have said that they are considering their position and hoped that the plan submitted by West Ham will be implemented exactly, leaving their nearest fans 45 metres from the pitch and the furthest 225 metres away.
   Read our readers views and contribute yours here.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -   Jonathan Woodgate is back in the squad after playing 90 minutes in the Spurs XI friendly against QPR.  Wilson Palacios has had a long journey back from playing for Honduras in a mid-week friendly and might not start, while Rafael van der Vaart looks likely to miss the game with a calf problem and Luka Modric (appendix), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Gareth Bale (back), Ledley King (groin) and Younes Kaboul (knee) are all definitely missing.
   SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS : -  Goalkeeper Craig Gordon missed Scotland's international in the week with a knee injury and is doubtful for Saturday's match, as is Jordan Henderson, who has a groin injury.

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   OTHER NEWS ... West Bromwich Albion have announced that Roy Hodgson will be their new manager ... 

   Tottenham rose from 15th to 12th place in the Deloitte Touche European Football Clubs Rich List, with the revenue derived by the club being estimated as increased from €132.7 million to €146.3 million.
   Following the leak that West Ham United are likely to be awarded the preferred bidder status for the 2012 Olympic Stadium tenancy, Spurs have written to the Olympic Park Legacy Company asking why the information had been leaked and why the news includes claims that their bid had failed to meet two of the Government's criteria, without any communication from the OPLC.  The club have not ruled out the option of asking for a judicial review of the decision process should they feel that it has not been equitable.
   The Daily Mail claims that the agent of Roman Pavlyuchenko reckons his client does not want to leave Spurs until the summer, if he is not getting regular first team football.  Rumours that his former club Spartak Moscow are interested in taking him back to Russia will be ignored at the moment.
   Wilson Palacios played for Honduras in their 1-1 home draw with Ecuador in a friendly match.
   A Spurs XI lost 1-2 to QPR at Spurs Lodge today with Alex Pritchard scoring the Tottenham goal.
   For a preview of Saturday's game at Sunderland, click here.

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Shares in East London binocular shops soared today with the announcement that West Ham United will win the race to host football in the Stratford Olympic Stadium with the retention of the athletic running track.

   The BBC are reporting that West Ham United have won the right to take over as occupants of the Stratford Olympic Stadium with the Olympic Park Legacy company opting for the Irons over Tottenham Hotspur's bid for the venue.
   Roman Pavlyuchenko's future is the subject of much discussion in the papers today, with the Metro saying AS Roma are keen to signing him up in the summer, while Spurs say he has to wait until then to move, despite Russian clubs being interested in taking him back to his home country with their transfer window open until March, according to the Daily Mail.
   Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel has said that when his short term contract with AC Milan ends in the summer, he would be happy to move to Tottenham, the Times reports.
   The Independent claims that the agent of Josip Ilicic, the Slovenian Palermo midfielder, has said that Tottenham are showing an interest in his client.  He said that Spanish clubs, English clubs and one from Italy are among those willing to make a move for the 22 year old, but he do not think that Ilicic will move this summer.
   Michael Dawson played an hour of England's 2-1 friendly win in Copenhagen against Denmark, while Kyle Walker and Jermain Defoe were unused substitutes.
   Alan Hutton played all of Scotland's 3-0 away win against Northern Ireland in Dublin tonight.
   Niko Kranjcar played the whole 90 minutes and Vedran Corluka 45 minutes of Croatia's 4-2 friendly win over the Czech Republic tonight.
   Steven Pienaar scored one of South Africa's goals in a 2-0 home win over Kenya.
   Sandro came on as a 70th minute substitute for Brazil in their 0-1 friendly defeat against France in Paris, while Heurelho Gomes was an unused substitute.
   Sebastien Bassong played for Cameroon in their 1-0 friendly win over Macedonia in Skopje.
   Giovani dos Santos was in action for Mexico in a friendly against Bosnia that they won 2-0 in Atlanta, USA.
   Roman Pavlyuchenko made an appearance from the substitute's bench in the second half, but he could not help Russia, who slipped to a 0-1 defeat in a friendly international in Abu Dhabi.
   Sweden's Under-21s lost 1-3 to Portugal U21 with Spurs young keeper Oscar Jansson in goal for the friendly.
   Playing for Belgium Under-19s in their 1-0 friendly win over Belarus U19, was Tottenham's Paul-Jose M'Poku.
   Dean Parrett was the England Under-20 captain in the country's 1-2 defeat to France in a friendly at Shrewsbury Town FC, playing the whole game.  Fellow Spurs, Ryan Mason (70th minute) and Adam Smith (62nd minute) both made substitute appearances in the match.

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   David Beckham will stay with Tottenham, where he is currently training, until February 22nd before returning to LA Galaxy.
   England Under-21s lost 0-1 to a late penalty in a friendly against their Italian counterparts, with Kyle Naughton playing the whole game at right back.
   The club have announced that Ledley King has undergone groin surgery today and will be back in training in two weeks.
   Jonathan Obika has returned to Tottenham, only to leave for a loan move to Swindon Town until the end of the season.
   In the London Evening Standard, Daniel Levy has set out the clubs plans for the 2012 Olympic Stadium, including the re-use of a lot of the structure which is to be dismantled, enhancing the athletics provision at Crystal Palace and the re-generation of the White Hart Lane stadium site to boost the area in N17.  He also revealed that should West Ham United win the bid to take over as tenants in the stadium, then they would allow only 20 days of athletics use each year. 

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   Peter Crouch has a bad back and has been released from the England squad to get treatment.
   The England Under-21 squad for a friendly against Italy on Tuesday has been hit by injury and Kyle Naughton has been called up to the group preparing for the match.
   Not much other news apart from some "banter" between Karen Brady and Daniel Levy over possession of the 2012 Olympic Stadium.

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   Roman Pavlyuchenko is quoted in the Mail on Sunday as saying that he will seek to leave the club, either on loan or permanently, if he does not get to play more football between now and the end of the season.

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   OTHER NEWS ... West Bromwich Albion have put Roberto Di Matteo on gardening leave after relieving him of his managerial duties at the club ... 

   Tottenham beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at White Hart Lane today.  Click here for a match report
   TalkSport claim that Juventus are ready to bid £8 million for Benoit Assou-Ekotto in the summer.
   Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Kyle Walker are all in the England squad for the friendly international against Denmark this week.
   The Spurs Academy side drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Spurs Lodge this morning with Jack Munns netting for Tottenham.

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   OTHER NEWS ... In a goal-crazy Premier League day, bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers ended top club Manchester United's unbeaten season with a 2-1 win, Arsenal lost a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 at Newcastle United, Everton beat Blackpool 5-3, Wigan Athletic beat Blackburn Rovers 4-3 and Stoke City beat Sunderland 3-2 ... ... 

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Michael Dawson returns after suspension, while Steven Pienaar has got over his clash with Bongani Khalumo in training and is ready to play.  Gareth Bale's bad back keeps him out and Ledley King (groin), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Younes Kaboul (knee) are all out, with Luka Modric's appendicitis keeping him out for a couple of weeks.
   BOLTON WANDERERS TEAM NEWS : -  Jay Samuel will be missing for the Trotters, with a hamstring injury.  Other absentees will be Sean Davis (knee), Joey O'Brien (knee) and Ricardo Gardner (thigh), while Gretar Steinsson is doubtful will a knee knock.
   Harry Redknapp said in his pre-match press conference that he might be interested in taking David Beckham on permanently when his contract with LA Galaxy expires at the end of this year.  He said the England midfielder is still very fit and that his delivery was as good as ever, picking out Crouch accurately in training.
   For a preview of the Bolton game, click here.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Sheffield Wednesday appointed Gary Megson as their new manager today ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Not only is Arsene Wenger not seeing things, but he also cannot hear what David Moyes says, as he thinks Moyes pretended to hear Cesc Fabregas' comments to the referee at half time in the game on Tuesday.

   Steven Pienaar might be out of action for two weeks after suffering concussion in a training ground clash with Bongani Khumalo before the Blackburn Rovers match.
   Ledley King's operation in Germany has been delayed by a week, as the Spurs captain mislaid his passport and could not fly out as planned.
   Kyle Walker has been called up for the England Under-21 squad for the friendly against Italy next week.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Alan Irvine was sacked as manager of Sheffield Wednesday today ... Brentford manager Andy Scott also lost his job today ...

   Tottenham beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at Ewood Park tonight.  For a match report click here.
   Luka Modric will miss the next two weeks of the season after having his appendix removed following an acute bout of appendicitis.
   William Gallas is hoping to negotiate a new two year deal with Tottenham.

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   Ledley King needs surgery on his injured groin, meaning he may miss the rest of the season.
   Spurs are reported to have made a £35 million bid for Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi.
   Allegedly Spurs failed in their bid for Everton's Phil Neville as Daniel Levy wanted to pay for the striker in two £250,000 instalments.
   And the deal for Blackpool's midfielder Charlie Adam was not completed as a couple of shareholders from the Lancashire club did not sign the paperwork in time.
   A Spurs XI lost 0-1 to Crystal Palace at Spurs Lodge today.

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