Spurs fear Kanoute call-up for Olympics

Tottenham are set to hold talks with Freddie Kanoute over fears they could lose him for Olympic Games qualifiers.

Spurs could be without their top scorer in the spring and for the start of next season if he is picked by Mali in their bid to qualify for Athens. The striker upset Spurs by accepting an invitation to represent his father's homeland in the African Nations Cup after being signed as a French player.

But new FIFA rules allowed Kanoute to switch his national allegiance and he scored twice in Mali's 3-1 win over Kenya on Monday.

Although the Olympic competition is for players aged 23 or under, three over-aged players - which would include 26-year-old Kanoute - may play.

But Spurs acting-manager David Pleat said the club were likely to discuss their concerns with Kanoute when he returns from the African Nations Cup.

Mali have two qualifying fixtures in March and, if successful, Kanoute could miss pre-season training and the start of the 2004-05 campaign. The competition begins on 11 August, three days before the new Premiership season kicks off. But Pleat said: "I am sure we will sit down with Freddie but, at this stage, I do not know the full implications of the Olympic situation."