White Hot Lines

   Darren Bent will be out for a minimum of two weeks with a medial knee ligament injury and the brace will come off after that time, when the medics will see how the knee is.
   Portsmouth are willing to let defender Glen Johnson go for £16 million with Liverpool, Spurs and Aston Villa all interested according to the Daily Mirror.
   The Sun report that Liverpool and Arsenal are after the former Spurs striker Mounir El Hamdaoui, who is now at Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Stockport County have gone into administration and have been docked 10 points ... Oldham Athletic have named Dave Penney as their new manager after resigning as Darlington boss in the morning ... Geraint Williams and Kevin Nugent have signed one year deals to stay on as manager and assistant manager of Leyton Orient ...

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Serie A is to lead a breakaway from the rest of the alphabet in Calcio in Italy.

   A number of sources are hinting that Tottenham may sign Charlton Athletic's 17 year old midfielder Jon-Jo Shelvey for £3 million, but may face competition from Newcastle United and Fulham.
   The Sun claim Tottenham are giving a trial to a 17 year old Ghanaian defender Gladson Awako.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Oxford United manager Chris Wilder has apologised for calling the Blue Square Conference a "poxy" league, amending his comments to a "Swine fever of a league" to be more topical

   The Daily Mirror claims that Didier Zokora is not happy sitting on the bench at Spurs ahead of World Cup year and reports that David Bentley, Tom Huddlestone, Gareth Bale and Jermaine Jenas might not have futures at the club.
   Spurs and Manchester City are supposedly favourites to sign Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz.
   Jermaine Jenas has been asked by the FA to explain his comments about referee Howard Webb "crumbling under the pressure" in giving a penalty at Old Trafford on Saturday.
   Meanwhile, the referee at the centre of the controversy has admitted to making a mistake in handing a penalty to Manchester United.
   Real Betis midfielder Achille Emana is being linked to a move to Tottenham or Blackburn Rovers, as the Cameroon international has a £17.8 million buy out clause.
   Driving charges against Jermain Defoe have been dropped after barrister "Mr. Loophole" got Essex Police to withdraw the prosecutions.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Spurs Reserves lost 0-3 to Chelsea at Brentford FC tonight.
   Former Spurs striker Jurgen Klinsmann has been sacked by Bayern Munich.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Tottenham will play South China in the Hong Kong National Stadium on Sunday 2nd August 2009 as part of their pre-season build up.
   The News of the World reckons Sunderland's loan striker Djibril Cisse will be the subject of an £8 million bid to Marseille by Spurs in the summer.  The report says that Harry Redknapp tried to sign the French forward before he bid for Robbie Keane in the January transfer window, but as he had already played for Marseille, he could not make another move within the calendar year.
   The paper also reckons that Chelsea youngster Jack Cork could be a £2 million target for Tottenham.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Burton Albion have been promoted from the Conference to League Two after finishing the season as champions ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... 

   Tottenham lost 2-5 at Old Trafford to Manchester United today.  For a match report, click here.  For reaction click here.
   Adel Taarabt has suffered a cartilage injury and will need surgery, thus ending his season on loan at Queens Park Rangers.
   The Sun reckon Tottenham will bid £1 million for Glasgow Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson, who was at the heart of the row about being banned from playing for Scotland after late night drinking and making obscene gestures while sat on the bench during a World Cup qualifier.
   Spurs are one of a number of clubs interested in Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka, who might be sold off for £15 million in the summer, it is reported in the Times.
   The Daily Mail claim that Spurs will lose out top Liverpool for the £10 million rated Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.
   Tottenham's Under-18s drew 2-2 with Arsenal at Spurs Lodge today.
   Unfortunately, loan players Yuri Berchiche and David Hutton could not prevent Cheltenham Town being relegated to League Two, as they lost 0-1 to Carlisle United.
   Loan striker Jon Obika scored for Yeovil Town in their 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers today.
   Jade Defoe - a half brother of Jermain Defoe - died last night after being attacked in Leytonstone, East London.  We send our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Wolverhampton Wanderers won the Championship today and Birmingham City are also promoted to the Premier League in second place, while SCBC are relegated to League One and will suffer a ten point deduction as they start next season because they have gone into administration ... Peter borough United have been promoted to the Championship ... Brentford have been promoted to League One as champions of League Two, but at the other end of the table, Chester City are all but mathematically relegated to the Conference ... AFC Wimbledon were promoted to the Conference from the Conference South ...

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... 

   Tottenham will take part in the first Wembley Cup, with a game against Barcelona on Friday 24th July and a match against Glasgow Celtic on Sunday 26th July.  The other team participating is Al Ahly of Egypt
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Michael Dawson misses the game with a torn ankle ligament sustained in last week's match against Newcastle United.  Roman Pavlyuchenko is also out with his continuing back problem, while Fraizer Campbell cannot play against the club he is on loan from.  Jermain Defoe might start for the first time following the surgery on his foot injury.
   MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS : -  Gary Neville's foot injury rules him out of the game, but United have Wes Brown fit again and John O'Shea is expected to recover from his ankle injury in the game against Portsmouth on Wednesday to feature in the match.  Rio Ferdinand will play, as will full back Rafael.
   For a short preview of the Manchester United match, click here.
   Academy striker Paul-Jose M'Poku has signed a professional contract with the club.

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   OTHER NEWS ... John Trewick has been announced as the new manager of Hereford United... ... 

   CRIMEWATCH ... Cecs Fabregas has been charged by the FA with two counts of improper conduct following his entry onto the field after Arsenal's FA Cup tie with Hull City at Highbury ... Phil Brown has been charged with improper conduct after his comments about the referee in the same game ... Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel has been banned from driving for 15 months after being convicted of drink driving ...

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Wembley are to re-lay the turf after the FA Cup semi-finals, although with the football played on it, it was virtually untouched following the two matches.

   Lokomotiv Moscow goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, currently on loan at Swiss club Grasshoppers, is said to have been lined up by Tottenham as their new back-up goalkeeper according to the Daily Mail.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Ipswich Town have named Roy Keane as their new manager ...  ... 

   Darren Bent is a target for Sunderland in the summer transfer window, so say the Daily Star.
   The Sun claims that David Beckham will sign for Tottenham in October at the end of LA Galaxy's MLS season to give him to opportunity to keep fit for the World Cup in 2010.  This appears to be based on the fact that he grew up not far from Tottenham, that Harry Redknapp has worked wonders with players in the twilight of their careers and sources inside the game.
   Former Tottenham defender and assistant manager John Gorman has left Ipswich Town as assistant manager following the sacking of manager Jim Magilton.
   Former Spurs defender Ian Hendon has been appointed manager of Barnet.
   Former Tottenham loanee striker Andy Booth, currently playing for Huddersfield Town, is set to retire from playing at the end of the season.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Jim Magilton has been sacked as manager of Ipswich Town ... ... 

   Seville striker Fredi Kanoute has told the Press that he has no intention of returning to Tottenham in the summer, as last time he played in the Premier League he felt a "bit tired".
   Some websites claim that midfielder Sulley Muntari is considering his future at Internazionale, because of the racism suffered in Italy and links have been made with a move to Tottenham to play for Harry Redknapp who took him to Portsmouth.
   Click here for a pre-order discount on signed copies of Norman Giller's book "The Lane Of Dreams".

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Michael Dawson will have a scan on his ankle injury to determine the extent of the damage.
   After missing yesterday's match with Newcastle United, Roman Pavyluchenko hopes to have recovered form his back problem in time to play at Old Trafford on Saturday.
   Rumours today are linking full back Alan Hutton with a return to Glasgow Rangers as he fears the competition for places in the Spurs defence might edge him out.
   Spurs have been linked with Malaga's 25 year old midfielder Apono.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Spurs beat Newcastle United 1-0 this afternoon at White Hart Lane.  Click here for a match report and for reaction click here.
   Tottenham are the target for a £300 million takeover by an American tycoon.  The buyer is "cash-rich" and desperate to buy a Premier League club and having looked at Everton, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Portsmouth, he has decided that now Spurs have retained their Premier League status that they are the club he has set his heart on.  Chairman Daniel Levy and ENIC are said to be unwilling to sell, but the News of the World claims the American wants to be in place by the start of the new season.
   The NotW reckons Harry Redknapp will ditch Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent in the summer to fund a move for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz, who the Ewood Park club want £19 million for.
   Giovani Dos Santos scored from the penalty spot for Ipswich Town in yesterday's Old Farm derby,. which Ipswich won 3-2.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Rumours are circulating in the press that a plan to have two Premier League divisions with 18 teams in each, including Celtic and Glasgow Rangers, is on the table for discussion ... ... 

   Spurs are set to snap up Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar, as Portsmouth will most probably be selling him in the summer to help deal with their money problems, says the Daily Mirror.
   The Sun runs a story stating that Harry Redknapp has said that if players can't accept not playing and are not willing to fight for their place in the side, then they will be allowed to leave the club.
   Goalkeeper Lee Butcher has joined Grays Athletic on an emergency loan until the end of the season.
   Andros Townsend scores his first league goal for Yeovil Town, where he is on loan, in the 2-3 defeat against Hartlepool United.
   Spurs Under-18s lost 0-1 to Norwich City today.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Wolverhampton Wanderers will be playing in the Premier League next season after winning promotion ... Charlton Athletic's relegation to the third tier of English football was confirmed today ... Leicester City will be League One Champions after a win today ... Hereford United will be relegated from League One after losing today ...

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  MEHSTG's spin story ...  The Sun reports that Stoke winger Matthew Etherington is recognised far more since moving to the Potteries than when he was in London with Tottenham and West ham. "Fans come up to me in Tesco now," he said, "Because they didn't used to shop in Waitrose, where I used to shop when I got a big wage playing for top clubs."

   Tottenham have announced two pre-season friendlies.  One is away at Exeter City on Wednesday 15th July with a 7:45 p.m. kick off and the other is a home game against Olympiakos on Sunday 9th August, with a kick off at 3:00 p.m.
   The Sun claims that Spurs are looking to the Middle or Far East for some moneyed company to sponsor the new stadium.
   Harry Redknapp has denied rumours which are linking goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes with a summer move to Chelsea.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Jermaine Jenas' thigh and Roman Pavlyuchenko's back are the main worries for Harry Redknapp, while Wilson Palacios is back after his one match ban and Alan Hutton returns to the squad.  A surprise inclusion in the squad could be Jermain Defoe, who returned to full training this week after surgery on his foot. 
   NEWCASTLE UNITED TEAM NEWS : -   Alan Shearer could be without Obafemi Martins, who has a groin problem and Jose Enrique has a knee injury, which could make him miss the match.  Andrew Carroll may be preferred up front to the returning Mark Viduka and
   Chris Gunter has said that if Spurs were to send him out on a season's loan next term, he would be happy to return to Nottingham Forest, where he is currently on loan until the end of the season.
   Goalkeeper David Button has gone on an emergency loan to Dagenham and Redbridge, who have lost all their contracted keepers to injury.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Alex Ferguson has accused Rafa Benitez as being arrogant ... when he actually deigned to speak to the Press.

   Spurs may be selling Darren Bent in the summer according to Roman Pavlyuchenko's agent, as he said his client is not going anywhere and that his fellow forward would be moved on.
   The Daily Express claims that Harry Redknapp is now disinterested in Genoa striker Diego Milito after attention from Juventus and Internazionale both might tempt him more than coming to White Hart Lane.
   Tottenham transfer target Julian De Guzman may choose to leave Deportivo La Coruna in the summer if the club do not offer him a new deal.
   For a match preview for Sunday's Newcastle United game, click here.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Jermain Defoe returned to training today following his absence after a broken foot .
   The Daily Mirror claims that Harry Redknapp will make a £10 million bid for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones in the summer, while Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko will be allowed to leave if the right deals can be done for them.  David Bentley appears to be set for a move to Spain if this story is to be believed.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Anfield staged a memorial service to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster where 96 football fans died ... ... 

   Spurs Reserves beat Arsenal 2-1 at Leyton Orient FC tonight, with both goals being scored by David Bentley.
   The Daily Express picks up on the Huddlestone and Bale for Fulham story, quoting Tom as saying that if he does not get first team football at Tottenham, he will have to have a bit of a think about his future.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Spurs Under-18s beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in the final of the Tourneo Internazionale in Bellinzona, Switzerland tonight, with goals from Ryan Mason and Nathan Byrne.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Luton Town were relegated from the Football League today after their 0-0 draw with Chesterfield left them unable to make up the points deduction from the start of the season and catch the team second from bottom of League Two ... ... 

   It was announced today that Spurs winger of the late 1960s and early 1970s Jimmy Neighbour had died yesterday of a heart attack following a hip replacement operation, aged 58.  MEHSTG send their condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.  Click here for an article on his career.
   The Sunday People claim that Harry Redknapp is set to contradict what he has been saying about some of the squad in recent days by off-loading Roman Pavlyuchenko and David Bentley in the summer, along with Darren Bent and Michael Dawson.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Tottenham beat West Ham United 1-0 at White Hart Lane this afternoon.  Click here for a match report.  Click here for reaction.
   Jamie O'Hara has told the Sun that the day after his League Cup final penalty shoot out miss, he was told by the manager and the chairman that they wanted to offer him a new deal at the club.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   The Daily Mirror claims that Manchester United will offer Fraizer Campbell a new contract on his return form his loan spell at Tottenham.
   Fulham will pursue their interest in Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone at the end of the season according to the Times, but in the Guardian and the Mirror Harry Redknapp is claiming that Hud could be as good as Glenn Hoddle, so perhaps he is going nowhere, as these articles claim that no offers for him will be considered.
   Guus Hiddink has refuted stories that were published yesterday about his view on Roman Pavyluchenko and how he was being used at Tottenham.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs are still without Jermain Defoe after foot surgery, but he should be ready to return to full training next week, while Alan Hutton is back in the squad after recovering from his foot operation.  Wilson Palacios serves a one match ban for getting sent off at Blackburn Rovers last week and Aaron Lennon has a groin injury, but is expected to play.
   WEST HAM UNITED TEAM NEWS : -  Already without Carlton Cole, Dean Ashton, Daniel Gabbidon, Jonathan Spector, Jack Collison and Valon Behrami, Gianfranco Zola will give late fitness tests to Scott Parker and Radoslav Kovac.
   For a preview of the match with West Ham United, click here.
   Jon Obika scored his third goal in his loan spell Yeovil Town against Millwall today and David Hutton scored Cheltenham Town's equaliser against Peterborough United, where he is on loan.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Spurs Reserves beat Arsenal 3-0 at tonight at Barnet FC with goals from Gilberto, Ryan Mason and Jake Livermore.
   The Sun claims that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is keen on FC Porto's left back Aly Cissokho, who played impressively against Manchester United on Tuesday.  The 21 year old  French defender could cost £5 million, but was signed for £270,000 in the summer from Vitoria Setubal.
   Guus Hiddink has been saying that he would sign Roman Pavyluchenko for Chelsea if he was their manager next season and that he would be first choice and not a reserve at he is at Tottenham.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Paulo Sousa has been sacked as manager of Queens Park Rangers after 26 games ... ... 

   The Daily Star claims that Sunderland will make Darren Bent their prime transfer target in the summer ... if they stay in the Premier League ... and they will offer £10 million.
   FC Porto striker Wason Renteria has claimed that Tottenham have made an approach for him on Football 365.  The 23 year old Colombian forward has been on loan at Sporting Braga.
   Spurs youngsters Jon Obika and Andros Townsend have extended their loans at Yeovil Town.
   Kyle Fraser-Allen and David Button have returned to Tottenham from their loan spells at Macclesfield Town and Luton Town respectively.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

   Spurs are looking at signing Wigan Athletic loan forward Amr Zaki; the Egyptian striker who did not return from international duty at the weekend, according to the Daily Mirror.
   The same paper claims that Tottenham will sell striker Darren Bent as part of a refreshing of the squad in the summer.
   The Daily Express reports that Spurs are watching Partizan Belgrade and Serbian left back Ivan Obradovic.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Four Accrington Stanley players and one from Bury have been charged with betting on a Bury win in the last game of last season ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ...  last season Portsmouth won the FA Cup, but lost £16.6 million according to their figures released today.

   The Daily Mirror runs a story claiming that Everton are making Jermaine Jenas a transfer target in the summer, although they might find competition for the midfielder from Aston Villa if the Midlands club lose Gareth Barry to Liverpool.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... a Sunday league player was booked when he farted as an opponent went to take a penalty kick and had it saved.  The ref allowed him to retake the penalty in a game in the Manchester area.

   The Daily Star Sunday claims that Juventus are looking at Spurs full back Gareth Bale as a possible transfer target in the summer.
   The Sunday People claims Spurs manager Harry Redknapp wants John Carew, who is supposedly ready to leave Aston Villa, to lead the Tottenham front line next season.  They claim that Darren Bent could be used in a swap deal for the Norwegian international or that Harry might return to Portsmouth to sign up Peter Crouch.
   The People also reckons that Tottenham's £34 million shirt sponsorship deal with Mansion is about to collapse, as the casino company has been hit hard by the economic crisis.  The sponsors wish to pull out of the deal worth £8.5 million until the summer of 2010, but there may be scope for a negotiated ending of the contract with the newspaper suggesting a £2 million termination fee, with Tottenham being left to find a new company to put their name on the shirt.
   On loan goalkeeper David Button was an unused substitute in Luton Town's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win today, earning him a winner's medal in the process .

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   OTHER NEWS ... Luton Town won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy by beating Scunthorpe United 3-2 at Wembley today ... ... 

   Spurs lost 1-2 away at Blackburn Rovers this afternoon.  Click here for a match report and here for reaction.
   A number of sources report that Harry Redknapp expects bids for David Bentley in the summer, after he has failed to perform to the standards he set at Blackburn Rovers and that Aaron Lennon will be first choice on the right wing.
   Yeovil Town have extended the loan deal for Danny Hutchins until 2nd May.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ...

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  The returning international players will have late fitness tests, but Ledley King will be fit to play, as might Alan Hutton.  Only Jermain Defoe is definitely out at the moment.
   BLACKBURN ROVERS TEAM NEWS : -  David Dunn's Achilles injury rules him out, while Vince Grella is back in training, but may not be ready to play a game quite yet.  Roque Santa Cruz is definitely out and there may be late fitness tests for Benni McCarthy, although Brett Emerton and Steven Reid are both sidelined with knee injuries.
   The Sun claims that Spurs will move for Manchester City's out-of-favour Bulgarian left winger Martin Petrov in the summer.
   29 year old Paraguayan defender Paulo Cesar da Silva Barrios could be a transfer target for Tottenham, as his contract with his Mexican club Toluca is up at the end of the season and he would be available on a free transfer.  The player previously has unsuccessful spells at Perugia and Venezia.

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   OTHER NEWS ... Sven Goran Eriksson has been sacked as manager of Mexico ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Surprisingly, Middlesbrough have come only fourth in the place in England where you are most likely to be burgled.  This is odd, as people having been taking three points off them all season.

   Tottenham are hoping to sign African 16 year old Gambian Ebrima Bojang ahead of Internazionale.
   Aaron Lennon has won the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for March.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... SCBC are set to become SCLC as the company that own them - Southampton Leisure Holdings - have gone into administration.  As this may circumnavigate the FA's rules on a points deduction, it might spell the end for the club anyway, as the holding company are £30 million in debt and Rupert "The Bear" Lowe has resigned as chairman of that company.

   Tottenham announced the latest set of plans to go out for consultation and include a 58,237 stadium, a 150 room hotel, a state of the art open space around the ground and a new supermarket.
   Robbie Keane captained Republic of Ireland in their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw in Italy tonight, scoring the Irish goal a minute from time.
   Gareth Bale started the Wales 0-2 World Cup qualifier defeat by Germany in Cardiff, with his Tottenham team-mate Chris Gunter joining him as a 53rd minute substitute.
   Aaron Lennon played 57 minutes of the England World Cup qualifying 2-1 win over Ukraine tonight at Wembley.
   Scotland's 2-1 win over Iceland featured Alan Hutton playing the whole game after his recovery from foot surgery.
   Roman Pavlyuchenko played 84 minutes of Russia's 1-0 away World Cup win in Liechtenstein.
   Wilson Palacios played the whole of Honduras' 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Mexico.
   Vedran Corluka played the full 90 minutes of Croatia's 2-0 win over Andorra in an away World Cup qualifying match, while Luka Modric was an unused substitute.
   The Daily Star claim that Spurs will have to fight off Portsmouth to sign West Bromwich Albion midfielder Robert Koren.
   Kevin Prince Boateng wants to make his loan move to Borussia Dortmund permanent at the end of the season.

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   OTHER NEWS ...  ... ... 

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  MEHSTG's spin story ... Newcastle United have announced that they will be taking on Iain Dowie as their coach under Alan Shearer as the club might need to win ugly to stay up.

  MEHSTG's spin story 2 ... There were horrified comments about the tackle in tonight's England game that saw Wayne Rooney follow through and with the new all-white kit, it was the worst thing he could have done.