Spurs kid may be off to the Derby

New Tottenham signing Tom Huddlestone could spend next season playing for former club Derby.

The 18-year-old will be assessed during pre-season training by Spurs head coach Martin Jol, who will decide if the £2.5million defender would benefit from another year in the Championship.

Derby manager Goerge Burley said: "It will be great if he is involved in their first team. If he isn't, then I would be interested in taking him back on loan, but I have not spoken to Tottenham." Spurs are also understood to have agreed a deal with winger Wayne Routledge, 20, who will leave Crystal Palace when his contract expires at the end of next month.

A fee will have to be paid because of Routledge's age but Spurs will wait for the amount to be fixed by a tribunal after talks with Palace broke down.

The club have been pursuing the England Under-21 international for at least a year and believe they can get him for as little as £1.25m.

It is thought Palace were asking for more than double that figure.