Kanoute faces axe

The player has gone away for a few days to ponder his decision and news of his injury is certainly convenient at this particular time.

Spurs are fearful that if Kanoute plays against Palace tomorrow, he could suffer a backlash from disgruntled fans who are already furious about the club's lowly position in the Premiership.

A small number of them hurled abuse at the Frenchman as he left White Hart Lane after the defeat by Charlton last Sunday. Portuguese striker Helder Postiga will be first in line to replace Kanoute against Palace.

Meanwhile, caretaker manager David Pleat insisted that the club have still had not had any notification from Mali to confirm they want Kanoute to play in the competition.

Pleat said: "We have only been hearing speculation from the media. We have not had, at this moment in time, any official paperwork from the Malian Federation about Kanoute."

But privately, Spurs remain angry that the player made no mention of his ambition to play for Mali when he joined them for £4million in the summer.

They are also understood to be considering their next move if Kanoute insists on joining up with the Mali squad and that could involve a fine or suspension. Kanoute has played for the French Under-21 side and Spurs believed his allegiance remained with that country when they bought him from West Ham.

But although Kanoute was born in France, he has Malian parents, which makes him eligible to play for them under new FIFA rules.

Mali have named him in their African Nations Squad and the player revealed last week that he had decided to go. His decision was followed by a call from Pleat to put the club first and this view has now been spelt out to the player during their meeting.

The Nations Cup begins on 24 January but Kanoute could even be missing from Tottenham's relegation clash with Leeds at Elland Road and their home game with Liverpool a week later, if Mali insist he joins up with the rest of the squad on 10 January.

That is the start of the two-week period allowed by FIFA for player call-ups before a major continental championship.

Meanwhile, Spurs are to return with a renewed bid for Nottingham Forest winger Andy Reid.

The First Division side rejected Tottenham's £2.5m offer plus £1m bonuses, which was revealed exclusively by Standard Sport earlier this week.

Tottenham are set to increase their bid to around the £4m wanted by Forest but could now face competition from Newcastle for the talented 21-year-old.

In still more bad news, Spurs have a number of injury worries ahead of the FA Cup third round tie with Palace.

Darren Anderton and Gus Poyet may miss out, with the former still to recover from his recent calf injury. He is likely to undergo a late fitness test. Youngster Johnnie Jackson will continue in the left midfield role with Simon Davies on the bench after recovering from his four-month injury nightmare.

The Welsh midfielder has been sidelined with a hip injury all season but Pleat has confirmed he will be on the bench for the Palace clash.

Pleat added: "Stephen Carr is back from suspension and Simon Davies will start the game as a substitute. Stephane Dalmat is also doubtful with a back problem. We will have to wait on Anderton and Poyet."