Dalmat wants future sorted

"Middlesbrough wanted me too but, for me, Tottenham are a more ambitious club, rich in history. They are a big name in English football."

Christian Ziege has staked a claim for a first team recall after completing another 90 minutes in Tottenham's reserves.

The German international, out since October with a knee injury, came through unscathed as the second string beat Portsmouth 2-0 with goals from Bobby Zamora and Mark Yeates.

However, Yeates was later sent off for two bookable offences and there was no place in the line-up for midfielder Jamie Redknapp, who only returned to first team training last week after a knee injury.

Tottenham have identified Manchester United's Nicky Butt as a player to strengthen their midfield and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed they have enquired about the England star.

Spurs are one of three Premiership club's to contact United about the player, who is priced at around £5 million. Everton today emerged favourites to land Butt after United reluctantly granted his transfer request earlier in this month.

Ferguson said: "Karren Brady at Birmingham spoke to our chief executive David Gill and we've told them what we're looking for. They are trying to structure a deal to talk to Nicky.

"Apart from that, Middlesbrough might come in and we've had enquiries from Spurs and Everton. Letting Nicky go somewhere on loan is not an option."

Tottenham face Fulham on Saturday but will again be without striker Freddie Kanoute, who got his controversial African Nations Cup campaign off to a flying start yesterday with two goals in Mali's win over Kenya.

Kanoute, who qualified to play for his father's country after a change in FIFA rules, said: "Today's the beginning of something for me so I'm very happy, but it is only a beginning. I have to keep keep fighting for this country because it's important to me. I've scored two goals, the team played well and I'm happy for a whole country."

Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan is relishing the prospect of a fifth round FA Cup clash with Manchester United but isn't looking too far ahead of next week's replay against Spurs.

"We can't think too much about it yet as there is a difficult replay at White Hart Lane that demands all our focus," he said. "It gives both teams a tremendous incentive."