Patient Spurs give Richards a lifeline

Dean Richards was today handed a surprise route back in from the cold at Tottenham.

The £8.1m defender has not played a first-team game this season and, with his £30,000-a-week contract expiring in June, many fans assumed they had seen the last of him in a Spurs shirt.

But assistant coach Chris Hughton has not given up on Richards and believes he could make a comeback once recovered from an Achilles injury.

Hughton said: "A fit Dean Richards is a very good player and, even though we have a lot of quality at centre-half, when he is back he will always come into contention. Unfortunately he has been through injury problems over the last couple of years, which has restricted the amount of games he has played. We wouldn't rule him out at some stage this season."

The 30-year-old has been linked with moves to Celtic and Wolves but is hoping for a new Spurs contract.

Ledley King (groin) returns for tomorrow's match with Richards' former club Southampton, but Noureddine Naybet is doubtful. Pedro Mendes will be out for several weeks after breaking his big toe in the FA Cup win at Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, Spurs have announced a new child protection policy to safeguard the 250,000 youngsters who take part in their community schemes. Any staff member working with children must follow a code of conduct.