Defoe heads for new controversy

Defoe has proved his quality on the international stage and his first England goal - that majestic volley against Poland - has transformed his profile. It's amazing what a difference being one of Sven's men makes.

Despite Jose Mourinho's firm denial of any interest in Defoe today, the striker is certain to attract bids from top clubs should he become available.

If Levy is preparing to call Defoe's bluff then a quick chat with fellow chairmen Terry Brown and Richard Murray should change his mind. It's not just on the pitch that the player has form.

Ever since he began scoring goals for fun as a teenager, Defoe has had clubs clambering for his signature, and he appears to like the attention. At the tender age of 16, he decided that Charlton was not a big enough arena for his talents, ironic really given they are now the best-placed of all the clubs he has played for. He left to join West Ham in a highly acrimonious deal that was settled by a Premier League tribunal. Charlton are still not happy with the £1.2m they were paid, even accounting for the sell-on fee they received earlier this year.

After a productive loan spell at Bournemouth, Defoe began to flourish at West Ham, scoring 41 goals in 72 games, but did not linger long. With comic-book timing that even Birmingham chairman David Sullivan might consider crass, he chose the day after the club's relegation from the Premiership to put in a transfer request. It was rejected.

Arsenal and Manchester United both considered a move before looking elsewhere, leaving Defoe to suffer the indignity of life in the Nationwide League. Not that he played very often, with three dismissals in three months limiting his availability.

Defoe has quickly become a crowd favourite at Tottenham, but runs the risk of being accused of using the club as a vehicle for his own ambitions. Just a fortnight ago he told Standard Sport of his desire to play in the Champions League - "the anthem makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up," he said - an ambition unlikely to be fulfilled at White Hart Lane.

Meanwhile, Erik Edman should be fit for Tottenham's game at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday after an ankle injury caused his early withdrawal in this week's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Spurs could find themselves in the bottom three if they lose for a seventh consecutive time in the league but the Swedish full-back claims he and his team-mates are not feeling under pressure.

"We could have beaten Arsenal and Villa, but didn't take our opportunities," Edman said. "We're all training hard and our confidence remains high."

Edman is coach Martin Jol's only doubt for Sunday but Anthony Gardner and Sean Davis are both still out injured.

However, Spurs have been boosted by the decision of young full-back Phil Ifil to accept a professional contract with the club.

Boro will be hoping to bounce back after losing for the first time in European competition last night. The 2-0 defeat by Villarreal means Steve McClaren's side must wait a little longer before celebrating their progress into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Newcastle sailed into the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup with a 4-0 away against French side Sochaux.