Spurs warning for Mendes

Pedro Mendes has been warned that he could face more frustration on the Tottenham sidelines when he returns from a broken toe.

The former Porto star, who won a Champions League medal last season, claimed in a Portuguese newspaper report he was upset by the lack of first-team opportunities.

Mendes was quoted as saying: "I deserve more respect. The club should tell me what I am supposed to have done, but their behaviour towards me has changed. When you are not happy with your job, you have to move on."

But, today, Spurs coach Chris Hughton said: "We would not expect any player who has either been left out of the team or not had a run in the side to be happy about it. What we are striving for is real competition for places. That is a nicer situation than struggling to fill positions."