Veljkovic blow for Charlton

Charlton have been dealt an injury blow with the news that on-loan defender Milos Veljkovic will miss the remainder of the season after dislocating his shoulder.

Milos Veljkovic: Ruled out for up to 12 weeks

Veljkovic, borrowed from Tottenham, sustained the injury during the Addicks' Championship defeat at Middlesbrough last weekend and the 19-year-old will require surgery to rectify the problem.

"This, unfortunately, means that his season is all but over because those kind of injuries normally take around 9-12 weeks to come back from," Charlton first-team physiotherapist Erol Umut told the club's official website.

"He is very disappointed and said he wanted to try the rehabilitation route, rather than the surgical one, but the damage is quite severe.

"It's a bad one and the shoulder is unstable now so he has been advised by the Tottenham medical staff as well as the shoulder specialist that the best thing for him to do is have an operation.

"He will undergo the operation on Monday and I will stay in touch with Spurs about his rehabilitation from that point onwards."

Veljkovic has made three appearances for Charlton since joining the club from Tottenham last month.

The Serbia Under-21 international, who has played twice for Spurs since moving to White Hart Lane from Swiss club FC Basle in 2011, is set to undergo an operation on Monday.

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Hodgson: Kane ready for England

Roy Hodgson has dropped a broad hint that Tottenham's in-form striker Harry Kane will be in his next England squad.

Harry Kane: Has 23 goals already this season

Kane has 23 goals already this season, including both in the recent north London derby win over Arsenal, and his form earned him a new five-and-a-half-year contract earlier this month.

And in a briefing with journalists on Thursday evening Hodgson said the 21-year-old has proved he deserves a first senior call-up having also scored eight goals in his 10 caps for the England U21's.

"Is he worth a place in the squad now? Of course he is," said Hodgson, who is due to name a squad on March 19 for a European Qualifier against Lithuania and a friendly against Italy.

"We've brought a lot of young players in during my time. We had Saido Berahino in the last squad. He (Kane) certainly deserves a place in the squad as much as, say, Saido did.

"If your question is, 'Is he worthy of a place like Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge, whoever?' Well, that's something he'll have to prove. But unless I give him a chance in the squad, he'll never get a chance to prove that anyway."

Hodgson identified Kane and Burnley's Danny Ings, also capped at U21 level, as players who can lead the line and play the 'No 10' role, but both will find Rooney in their path as the England boss made it clear he still sees his captain as a forward.

Rooney has been playing in central midfield for Manchester United, but Hodgson said: "At the moment I don't necessarily think that will be his best position for us and I don't have any immediate plans to play him there. But who knows? I will never say never.

"He's a goalscorer, isn't he? So one always likes to see one's goal-scorers in positions where they can get into the box and in and around the box. He's our top goal-scorer in the qualifiers, he's just a couple of goals (four) away now from being England's leading goalscorer, so I hope he will continue to score goals for us."

As for Berahino, Hodgson said the West Brom striker had been reprimanded by the Football Association over his recent drink-driving ban, adding: "As far as we are concerned, the matter is closed."

The same applies to Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere's recent brush with a shisha pipe. Hodgson said: "It isn't ideal but we don't live in an ideal world. I am happy it has been dealt with."

Hodgson also mentioned Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason and Liverpool teenager Jordon Ibe as young players on his radar and welcomed john Stones' recent run of games for Everton.

He said: "John Stones is now back from injury, that's good news for us. I am lucky at the moment, quite a few players have already started to make their mark.

"Ryan Mason is another one, I like the look of him as well. Jordan Ibe is very young and we have a lot of young players like that he would have to jump over."

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Kane and Pochettino nominated

The nominees for the Premier League Player of the Month and Manager of the Month awards have been announced.

Harry Kane: The Spurs striker has been hard to ignore this year

Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle, Chelsea's Brazilian goalscorer Oscar, Southampton defender Jose Fonte, Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, Tottenham's Harry Kane and Arsenal's Santi Cazorla are the six players vying for January honours.

Kane's headline-grabbing performances for Spurs have been hard to ignore and the 21-year-old now looks well on his way to a call-up to the senior England squad. The striker scored five goals through the month and did not shirk from hard work, playing 357 minutes in January.

Oscar came to the fore when Chelsea were on the attack, the attacking midfielder scoring three goals and adding two assists.

Gayle has played no small part in Palace's improving form and has thrived since Alan Pardew's arrival, scoring a memorable last-gasp winner against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Southampton rely heavily on centre-back Fonte and the Saints skipper rarely has a bad game. He was outstanding in the 2-0 win over Arsenal at St Mary's and was a towering presence in the famous 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Cool-headed Can has calmness beyond his 21 years, and Liverpool has benefited from the German's versatility across midfield in the past month. 

Cazorla has hit new heights for Arsenal, consistently dribbling past Manchester City players in the Gunners' 2-0 away win and regularly dominating the space between the centre-forward and the midfield.

The managers to make the shortlist are Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers, Stoke City boss Mark Hughes and Southampton’s Ronald Koeman.

Pochettino's Spurs pulled off a stunning 5-3 win over competition leaders Chelsea on New Year’s Day, whilst Koeman's Saints have maintained their unexpected push for a Champions League place.

Liverpool have also had a strong start to 2015 with Rodgers taking the Reds to three wins and a draw for the month.

Stoke boss Hughes might have suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates, but a 1-1 draw with Manchester United and strong wins against lower-ranked teams have confirmed Stoke’s mid-table position.

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Balotelli grabs late winner

Mario Balotelli scored his first Premier League goal of the season with seven minutes remaining to give Liverpool a 3-2 win over Tottenham at Anfield.

Mario Balotelli slots home the winner for Liverpool

The Italian came on as a substitute and turned home from close range to hand Liverpool all three points after an entertaining encounter in which Spurs had twice come from behind.

Lazar Markovic gave the hosts the lead with a low effort from just inside the area, before Harry Kane scored his fifth goal in three games as his shot from 12 yards out went through Simon Mignolet’s legs.

Steven Gerrard regained Liverpool’s lead from the penalty spot after Daniel Sturridge was brought down by Danny Rose, but Mousa Dembele levelled again on 61 minutes before Balotelli’s late winner.

The result leaves Liverpool in seventh, but the Reds are now just a point behind sixth-placed Tottenham. 

On his return to the starting line up, Sturridge looked sharp during a frantic opening. He broke free of the Spurs defence, but his low shot from 12 yards to Hugo Lloris’ right was saved well.

A minute later, Gerrard’s free-kick from 25 yards went inches over Lloris’ bar, before the French goalkeeper did superbly well to keep out Sturridge’s blistering shot from eight yards as the ball fell to the Englishman kindly.

Liverpool’s pressing resulted in a goal on 15 minutes, the ball finding its way to Markovic on the left from Sturridge’s hold up play for the Serb to fire home into the bottom right corner through the grasp of Lloris, who could have done better.

But 11 minutes later the visitors were level through Kane, the striker turning well inside the area from Erik Lamela’s deft pass and finishing fortunately through Simon Mignolet’s legs.

It was Kane’s 23rd goal of the season in all competitions, and his eighth since the turn of the year.

Sturridge was unlucky not to give Liverpool the lead going into half-time, flicking the ball with his back to goal from six yards out only to see his fine piece of improvisation hit the post.

Liverpool were given a penalty after half-time when Sturridge was brought down by Rose’s flailing leg, giving Gerrard the chance to slot past Lloris high into the top right corner.

Lamela went close a minute after the goal, forcing a fine save from Mignolet from 25 yards, but Spurs levelled for a second time just after the hour.

Christian Eriksen’s free-kick was parried by Mignolet allowing Kane, who looked in an offside position, to centre for Dembele to turn home from four yards out.

But the last word went to Balotelli, who had only scored twice for Liverpool since joining from AC Milan in the summer. Brendan Rodgers brought the summer signing on with 16 mintues remaining, and he repaid his manager by turning home the winner after another sub, Adam Lallana, found him four yards out. It had taken him seven months, 14 appearances, and 48 shots to score his first goal for the club in the top flight.

The win means Liverpool have lost just two games in 21 in all competitions, moving them to within three points of fourth place.

See all of Tuesday's Premier League goals on Sky Sports News HQ from midnight - or on Good Morning Sports Fans from 6am.

Player ratings

Liverpool: Mignolet (6), Can (7), Skrtel (6), Sakho (6), Moreno (6), Gerrard (6), Henderson (6), Markovic (7), Coutinho (7), Ibe (7), Sturridge (7)

Subs: Lovren (5), Lallana (7), Balotelli (7)

Tottenham: Lloris (7), Walker (6), Dier (5), Vertonghen (6), Rose (5), Bentaleb (6), Mason (6), Lamela (6), Dembele (7), Eriksen (6), Kane (6)

Subs: Chadli (5), Paulinho (5), Soldado (5)

Man of the match: Daniel Sturridge

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Pascoe demands repeat display

Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe insists Liverpool must approach their remaining fixtures like they did their 3-2 win against Tottenham.

Lazar Markovic celebrates after opening the scoring at Anfield.

Mario Balotelli’s first Premier League strike for the club edged a hotly-contested encounter on Merseyside as both Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele levelled the game after Lazar Markovic and Steven Gerrard had given the hosts the lead on two occasions.

And, speaking in place of manager Brendan Rodgers, who had to catch a flight immediately after the game, Pascoe challenge the Reds to replicate their resilient performance.

"We knew tonight would be a tough game but it was very important that we got the three points to keep closing the gap," Pascoe said.

"It was probably a great game to watch for spectators. The way everything was going, you knew we would always create chances.

“Daniel [Sturridge], coming back, is always a threat in behind. The way he makes the runs, he was unfortunate not to get a second penalty.

"As we talked about in the team meeting, we needed to win tonight, to get closer and edge closer.

"Our next game in the league is at Southampton and we'll be looking to do exactly the same thing again - get three points and keep closing the gap.

"We've always been trying to get into the top four - that was the main thing. We're still in the FA Cup and Europa League. The goals at Liverpool are always to try to achieve and get as much as you can."

Pascoe felt Balotelli’s 83rd-minute winner was thoroughly deserved after the striker recovered from a series of setbacks in training to make a goalscoring return to the team.

"Mario always works hard in training,” Pascoe added. “He has been ill recently and he has had some knocks on his foot.

"It's testament to him that he kept going and he deserved the winning goal in the end. He is immensely happy. If you get the winner at Anfield, I'm sure he's happy.

"Mario knew he would have a part to play tonight and he certainly did."

See all of Tuesday's Premier League goals on Sky Sports News HQ from midnight - or on Good Morning Sports Fans from 6am.

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Rodgers: Sturridge Is Better Than Kane

Harry Kane has fired 22 goals this season and he's the man of the moment, but Brendan Rodgers still thinks "there's no-one better" than Daniel Sturridge.

Daniel Sturridge: Working his way back to fitness

Sturridge, 25, and Kane, 21, are likely to come up against each other at Anfield on Tuesday night when Liverpool host Tottenham and Rodgers is sure he has the pick of England's finest.

The pair will also almost certainly get a chance as strike partners at international level too, a fact which Rodgers believes will help Sturridge progress, but the Liverpool chief is adamant Sturridge is the pick of the pair.

"For me, there's not anyone better than Daniel Sturridge," said Rodgers.

"He's got everything in his game if he's playing consistently. His goalscoring record, his pace, his power, he's got everything and, as an English striker, there's no-one better than him. But I'm sure Daniel will look at it that there's another young English striker coming through and that will really help him when they come together at international level."

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Lloris: Team ethic drives Spurs

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris believes a strong work ethic can help them improve on their recent performances against Liverpool.

Hugo Lloris: Says work ethic key to Tottenham

The two sides meet at Anfield on Tuesday night with the home side holding the balance of power in recent head-to-head fixtures.

Liverpool have scored 12 goals without reply in their last three meetings with Spurs, including a 3-0 win at White Hart Lane in August.

But Lloris insists there will be peaks and troughs during the course of the season and has backed them to end the campaign on a high if they continue to work hard individually and as a team.

"The season is very, very long and, of course, there are some dips in the season because of performance and results," he said.

"But I think the key is to work hard every day and that is a great working mentality in the team. We try to do what the manager expects and after we try to do our best on the pitch.

"It is more than individual performances - I think we try to improve in our team performance."

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Liverpool v Tottenham preview

Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield in what is a vital clash in the race for the Premier League’s top four.

Lucas: Has picked up a groin injury

Brendan Rodgers’ side have found their form in recent weeks and are now just six points away from the Champions League places after a run of eight games without defeat.

The Reds, who can move to within a point of Spurs with victory, were held to a goalless draw against rivals Everton last time out but will be confident of getting back to winnings ways, having lost just one of their last 20 league home matches against the north London club.

However, Spurs, who beat Arsenal 2-1 at the weekend thanks to a Harry Kane double, are one of the form sides in the division, boasting an impressive away record so far this season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have won five of their last seven away games in the league and can move up into third - for 24 hours at least - with victory on Merseyside.

Rodgers has confirmed Lucas Leiva is facing a spell on the sidelines due to the groin injury he sustained in the Merseyside derby.

However, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana are all fit for the visit of Tottenham, while Daniel Sturridge is nudging ever closer to a first start of the season.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has a full squad to choose from.

Nacer Chadli could be recalled to the starting line-up after being eased back slowly following a family bereavement last month, but Pochettino has no injury concerns ahead of the trip to Anfield.

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Kane revels in derby glory

Tottenham striker Harry Kane is ecstatic with victory over Arsenal and is desperate to close in on a top-four spot.

Harry Kane: A dramatic day at White Hart Lane

The 21-year-old was the star of the show on Saturday, netting a brace as Spurs came from behind to secure victory at White Hart Lane.

He cancelled out Mesut Ozil's volley early in the second half and snatched a late 2-1 win with a wonderful header, further ingratiating himself with the White Hart Lane faithful.

It was a performance that even received a few compliments from Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and Kane said: "It was a fantastic feeling.

"You could see from the way the fans celebrated at the end how much it meant and to score twice was unbelievable. I didn't want to come off - I wish I was still out there now with the fans.

"It was a special day, my first north London derby and the way it panned out was just incredible. It's something I won't forget."

Tottenham, now fifth one place above their local rivals, have a realistic chance of finishing above Arsenal in the top-flight - something they haven't achieved in 20 years.

"There seems to be an opportunity every season and then come the end it doesn't happen," he added.

"If we finish above Arsenal, of course we've got a great chance of finishing in the top four because Arsenal have been up there for so many years now.

"You'd like to think if you're above Arsenal then you'd be in the top four but the Premier League is a strange league sometimes and you never know what's going to happen. We've got to focus and do what we can do."

Kane certainly believes Spurs have the squad depth, fitness and mental capabilities to maintain their charge, saying everyone at the club is "buzzing".

The frontman played down talk of an international call-up, despite producing his heroics infront of England boss Roy Hodgson.

"I didn't even know he was there to be honest," Kane said. "I've just got to keep my head down and keep doing my best for Tottenham Hotspur.

"I'm really enjoying my football at the moment, playing with a smile on my face and days like these make it even better."

That victory was made all the sweeter as it came just weeks after a picture emerged of a seven-year-old Kane wearing an Arsenal shirt during a brief spell with their academy.

"Of course it was nice to score after that," Kane said. "I'm Tottenham through and through and this shows that. It's an emotional day and one I'm very pleased with."

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Mason delighted for Kane

Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason was thrilled to see Harry Kane score twice in the 2-1 north London derby victory over Arsenal.

Harry Kane celebrates Tottenham's late winner against Arsenal

The in-form Spurs striker was the toast of White Hart Lane as he made a superb impact on his derby debut with his second half brace.

And Mason believes the 21-year-old’s confidence is one of Tottenham’s biggest assets at the moment.

"He is remarkable," Mason said. "He leads the line on his own and does it unbelievably well.

"You can see the way he is at the moment that he is one fire and can't stop scoring."

Kane now has 22 goals in all competitions this season, with that fine form keeping big-money signings like Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor out of the team.

Belief

Victories over Arsenal and Chelsea at White Hart Lane have ignited talk of Tottenham breaking into the top four again.

"We believe - of course we do," Mason said. "We did the same thing to Chelsea a little while ago and hopefully we can keep doing well and stay up there.

"It will be difficult but we are confident in ourselves. We're on a good run and the team spirit is amazing. Everyone gets on with each other well.

"It is great to come in off the back of a win and we are buzzing. It's a great feeling."

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Kane savours 'incredible' feeling

Harry Kane savoured a feeling he will remember for the rest of his career after scoring twice to earn Tottenham a 2-1 derby win over Arsenal.

Harry Kane: Celebrates after equalising for Tottenham against Arsenal

The striker tapped home the equaliser before netting an 86th-minute winner with a superb header as Spurs fought back from conceding an early opener to Mesut Ozil.

Kane, who has now scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, said on BT Sport 1: "That feeling is one I definitely won't forget for the rest of my career.

"My first north London derby, to win the way we did, it's incredible. I probably won't sleep tonight."

Kane's rise this season has been meteoric, but the 21-year-old insists he is having no problem keeping his feet on the ground.

"I enjoy my football," he said. "Just play with a smile on your face, do the best you can, work as hard as you can for the team. It's been working well for us as a team, an incredible bunch of lads, the spirit's high.

"I just want to be out on that pitch, playing with my mates. We are playing very well, we just want the next game to come."

Kane's team-mate Ryan Mason hailed the Tottenham fans, saying: "I don't think there will be many better atmospheres around the world than what it was today."

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino described the win as a "special moment" before backing Kane to get better and better.

"His quality and his potential is massive, he can improve more," he said on BT Sport 1.

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Pochettino calls for passion

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called for his players to embrace the passion and emotion of the north London derby.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentinian wants his players to take a different approach on Saturday lunchtime when Arsenal make the short journey across town to White Hart Lane for the 175th edition of the fixture.

Spurs have the chance to secure a 50th league win over their near neighbours, who once again are attempting to block their path to a top-four Premier League finish.

However, rather than treating it like any other game, Pochettino says he wants his players to use the atmosphere of derby day as inspiration for victory.

"It's impossible to take out the passion and the emotion of football," the Spurs head coach said.

"When you play with your friends, you play because you feel the passion. Football is passion. Football is the best sport in the world because it shows emotion and you feel the passion.

"Our supporters, when they go to the stadium, it's because they go because they feel passion.

"How can we put the passion out in our players? We need to feel the same passion because in football you need to be clever, you need to train, you need to play with your brain but also with your heart.

"You need to run, you need to be aggressive, this is about balance which is important for this type of game."

Victory for the Capital One Cup finalists would be an important marker and would see them leapfrog Arsenal in the Premier League table.

It would also continue their resurgence at White Hart Lane, where they have gone six league matches unbeaten after a miserable start to the campaign.

Their last loss on home soil came against Stoke on November 9, after which Emmanuel Adebayor suggested the atmosphere inside the ground meant Spurs would be better off playing away from home.

Those comments still rankle with Tottenham fans but certainly had some truth to them, with Pochettino saying the atmosphere at White Hart Lane has vastly improved since then.

"In the last few months, the energy and atmosphere has been great," he said.

"But always when it is not, it is our fault. If we don't give good performances, it is normal for the supporters not to be happy.

"But now after some games where we have had improved performances, our supporters are happy and proud and see the same in the team.

"It is a big change for us. It is more comfortable to play now at White Hart Lane."

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Pochettino calls for passion

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called for his players to embrace the passion and emotion of the north London derby.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentinian wants his players to take a different approach on Saturday lunchtime when Arsenal make the short journey across town to White Hart Lane for the 175th edition of the fixture.

Spurs have the chance to secure a 50th league win over their near neighbours, who once again are attempting to block their path to a top-four Premier League finish.

However, rather than treating it like any other game, Pochettino says he wants his players to use the atmosphere of derby day as inspiration for victory.

"It's impossible to take out the passion and the emotion of football," the Spurs head coach said.

"When you play with your friends, you play because you feel the passion. Football is passion. Football is the best sport in the world because it shows emotion and you feel the passion.

"Our supporters, when they go to the stadium, it's because they go because they feel passion.

"How can we put the passion out in our players? We need to feel the same passion because in football you need to be clever, you need to train, you need to play with your brain but also with your heart.

"You need to run, you need to be aggressive, this is about balance which is important for this type of game."

Victory for the Capital One Cup finalists would be an important marker and would see them leapfrog Arsenal in the Premier League table.

It would also continue their resurgence at White Hart Lane, where they have gone six league matches unbeaten after a miserable start to the campaign.

Their last loss on home soil came against Stoke on November 9, after which Emmanuel Adebayor suggested the atmosphere inside the ground meant Spurs would be better off playing away from home.

Those comments still rankle with Tottenham fans but certainly had some truth to them, with Pochettino saying the atmosphere at White Hart Lane has vastly improved since then.

"In the last few months, the energy and atmosphere has been great," he said.

"But always when it is not, it is our fault. If we don't give good performances, it is normal for the supporters not to be happy.

"But now after some games where we have had improved performances, our supporters are happy and proud and see the same in the team.

"It is a big change for us. It is more comfortable to play now at White Hart Lane."

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Tottenham v Arsenal preview

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has a full complement of players to choose from when Tottenham host rivals Arsenal this weekend.

Nabil Bentaleb: Back in contention

Spurs have no have no injuries to contend with and can also welcome back Nabil Bentaleb, who returned from the African Cup Of Nations following Algeria's early exit.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Younes Kaboul and Etienne Capoue could be involved in the squad after deadline-day moves did not materialise.

Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) faces a late fitness test.

England striker Danny Welbeck is expected back in the squad after recovering from a thigh injury, while new signing Gabriel Paulista should also be included.

Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) is still out along with Jack Wilshere (ankle), Mikel Arterta (ankle), Abou Diaby (calf) and full-back Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder).

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Pochettino defends Adebayor

Mauricio Pochettino says Emmanuel Adebayor remains "a very important player" for Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino: Played down speculation Hugo Lloris might leave

Adebayor has been booed recently by some Spurs supporters and was on the verge of agreeing a loan move before this week's deadline.

The striker says he was told he could leave and chose West Ham from a list of five interested clubs, only for chairman Daniel Levy to pull the plug on the deal.

The upshot is he is still at White Hart Lane and in contention for Saturday's derby against his old club Arsenal, and Pochettino said: "We are happy that he stays here because I think he is a very important player.

"We need to provide him with the tools to improve his game and try to help the team to reach their objective. Like with all players, we try to push them, get them to train in a good way and after, when they have the opportunity to play, try to give their best."

And the Spurs boss said Adebayor's critics should consider he is still getting over a two-month absence, during which time he was given time off to deal with a family matter.

"We need to analyse the past," he said. "The past was difficult for him and always it is difficult to come back again, to recover the confidence and the best level to compete.

"If you review a little bit of the last two or three months, maybe people understand that he needs time to get back his confidence and his best level."

Pochettino also played down speculation linking goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a summer move to the likes of Paris St Germain, Manchester United and Real Madrid, saying: "I think that Hugo is one of the best keepers in the world.

"It is difficult for this type of club to get him because Hugo is happy here. He is happy here and maybe in the future, in his mind, he is playing in the Champions League with Tottenham."

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Ade understands Spurs decision

Emmanuel Adebayor has told Sky Sports News HQ that he can understand why Tottenham blocked a deal with West Ham United on Deadline Day.

Emmanuel Adebayor: Time to move on

He has also responded to the booing aimed his way by sections of the Spurs support following a home defeat by Stoke in November, saying his post-match comments were ‘twisted’ by journalists.

Adebayor did not feature for two months after the 2-1 defeat by Stoke until making his return in the 2-1 win over Sunderland on 17 January.

The striker stayed at White Hart Lane during the transfer window despite a late offer from West Ham; chairman Daniel Levy was understood to be unwilling to help a rival for a top-four finish by subsidising the player’s salary.

Adebayor said: "Everything happened in the last 48 hours although the window was open for a month. The club decided to send me out on loan which I was pleased with.

“There were five good clubs who were interested and I narrowed that down to three and then one that I wanted to go. But Mr Levy was against that because it was a rival club. So I am staying here, and I am happy to stay at the club and do my job.”

As to the fans' response after the 2-1 loss to Stoke, when it was suggested that Adebayor preferred to play away from White Hart Lane, he insists his comments were misinterpreted and he still craves their support.

"I am very sad about the booing but we lost a game against Stoke City at home which I was very not very pleased about.  If you play for Tottenham you want to finish in the top four so, no disrespect to Stoke, but we should have beaten them.

“After the game I was a little upset about the way we played and everything and I spoke to some of the journalists and I gave them some answers and they twisted it.

"Most of the fans believe what they read and I came out clearly and said I did not mean to hurt anyone because at the end of the day I understand how much they pay to come and watch.

"A player playing with confidence is better than a player playing with doubt in his head. If anyone thinks I am not appreciative of their support then that is a lie. They are the ones that make me run more, that make me want to score goals. Saluting a goal in front of the fans is one of the most beautiful moments in a player's life.

"They had a bad interpretation of what the journalist put in but I think we have to forget those things and we have to move on."

Adebayor was also keen to express his thanks to Mauricio Pochettino after the Tottenham head coach allowed him to return to Africa for personal reasons at the beginning of December.

He said: "I was out of action for a year but it’s only for a week or 10 days that I went back home to sort out some family issues.

"I went to Africa to talk to some people I needed to talk to – then I came back but then I was sick and injured as well. For some people who don’t see me on the TV for long it must seem longer – but it only took me a week or so to go home and sort out my problem."

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Ade understands Spurs decision

Emmanuel Adebayor has told Sky Sports News HQ that he can understand why Tottenham blocked a deal with West Ham United on Deadline Day.

Emmanuel Adebayor: Time to move on

He has also responded to the booing aimed his way by sections of the Spurs support following a home defeat by Stoke in November, saying his post-match comments were ‘twisted’ by journalists.

Adebayor did not feature for two months after the 2-1 defeat by Stoke until making his return in the 2-1 win over Sunderland on 17 January.

The striker stayed at White Hart Lane during the transfer window despite a late offer from West Ham; chairman Daniel Levy was understood to be unwilling to help a rival for a top-four finish by subsidising the player’s salary.

Adebayor said: "Everything happened in the last 48 hours although the window was open for a month. The club decided to send me out on loan which I was pleased with.

“There were five good clubs who were interested and I narrowed that down to three and then one that I wanted to go. But Mr Levy was against that because it was a rival club. So I am staying here, and I am happy to stay at the club and do my job.”

As to the fans' response after the 2-1 loss to Stoke, when it was suggested that Adebayor preferred to play away from White Hart Lane, he insists his comments were misinterpreted and he still craves their support.

"I am very sad about the booing but we lost a game against Stoke City at home which I was very not very pleased about.  If you play for Tottenham you want to finish in the top four so, no disrespect to Stoke, but we should have beaten them.

“After the game I was a little upset about the way we played and everything and I spoke to some of the journalists and I gave them some answers and they twisted it.

"Most of the fans believe what they read and I came out clearly and said I did not mean to hurt anyone because at the end of the day I understand how much they pay to come and watch.

"A player playing with confidence is better than a player playing with doubt in his head. If anyone thinks I am not appreciative of their support then that is a lie. They are the ones that make me run more, that make me want to score goals. Saluting a goal in front of the fans is one of the most beautiful moments in a player's life.

"They had a bad interpretation of what the journalist put in but I think we have to forget those things and we have to move on."

Adebayor was also keen to express his thanks to Mauricio Pochettino after the Tottenham head coach allowed him to return to Africa for personal reasons at the beginning of December.

He said: "I was out of action for a year but it’s only for a week or 10 days that I went back home to sort out some family issues.

"I went to Africa to talk to some people I needed to talk to – then I came back but then I was sick and injured as well. For some people who don’t see me on the TV for long it must seem longer – but it only took me a week or so to go home and sort out my problem."

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Song: Adebayor miss a shame

West Ham midfielder Alex Song would have relished chance to play with former Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor had the Tottenham striker’s Deadline Day transfer gone through.

Emmanuel Adebayor: The Spurs striker was close to making a move to Upton Park

West Ham looked set to bring Adebayor to Upton Park on loan but the deal collapsed late on Monday night.

Song, who played alongside Adebayor at Arsenal, said it was a shame the striker would not be joining West Ham.

“I think if he was coming it would be very good for us – he is a great player,” Song told Sky Sports News HQ.

“I played with him for five years, I know what he can do. So when someone told me he had the potential to come to West Ham I was very happy because this kind of player can help us contribute to doing very well in the league – we need a person just like this.

“It didn’t happen but now I want just to tell him good luck. We just have to focus now, just to do our job very well.

“We know we have good players, a good squad, but there’s something we didn’t have…we were looking to have more players come in but we didn’t have them. So we just have to focus on the players we’ve got.

“Every time (after transfer deadlines) it’s good when you have players coming in, trying to help, but we didn’t get it. Now we just have to look forward and play like we have.”

Adebayor’s move reportedly fell though because Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy refused to allow Adebayor to move to Upton Park.

Levy’s reported refusal to subsidise the loan sparked comments from West Ham co-chairman David Gold on Twitter.

Gold tweeted: “Sorry for keeping you up late but at the last moment the main deal collapsed and the rest folded like a pack of cards. Stay strong.

“I'd like to thank David Sullivan and Sam (Allardyce) for their efforts to secure new players during this window.

“However no matter how hard you tried there are people out there that you just can't do business with. Dg”

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West Ham fail in Adebayor bid

West Ham have failed in a late effort to sign Tottenham's Emmanuel Adebayor on loan, according to Sky sources.

Emmanuel Adebayor has struggled to establish himself in Tottenham's first-team

Sky Sports reported on Sunday that the 30-year-old Togolese striker was made available for the rest of the season but Spurs have been at pains to loan players to Premier League rivals.

That has ruled Adebayor out of joining clubs in the top-half of the table, with the Hammers four points and two places below Spurs, despite the player wanting to join the club and West Ham having fulfilled the loan criteria.

Sky sources also understand Queens Park Rangers were interested in bringing the former Arsenal and Manchester City forward on loan but he will now remain a Tottenham player.

Sky Sports reported on Sunday night that Adebayor was one of a number of players Spurs were hoping to offload on loan along with captain Younes Kaboul, winger Aaron Lennon and midfielder Etienne Capoue.

Lennon has joined Everton on loan for the rest of the season but it appears Kaboul and Capoue will remain at White Hart Lane for the rest of the campaign.

West Ham were also interested in bringing Kaboul into the club, while Capoue rejected the chance to join West Brom on loan despite the clubs agreeing the deal.

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Tottenham looking to offload

Tottenham are hoping to offload Emmanuel Adebayor and one of either Younes Kaboul or Vlad Chiriches on loan before the January transfer deadline, according to Sky sources.

Emmanuel Adebayor: Has failed to become the top striker he once promised

Adebayor, 30, was offered to clubs earlier in the window but has so far rejected all chances to leave White Hart Lane both temporarily and on a permanent basis.

Sky sources understand Paris Saint-Germain and Queens Park Rangers remain interested in a temporary deal for the Togolese striker and Spurs remain hopeful he will agree to find first-team football elsewhere.

And, if he does, Sky sources understand Tottenham will attempt to bring in another striker on loan before the deadline – one that is more suited to head coach Mauricio Pochettino's style of play.

Kaboul, meanwhile, is Tottenham’s captain but has become Pochettino’s fifth-choice central defender after a string of poor performances, and has not featured in a league game since November.

Besiktas were known to have been interested in signing the French defender earlier in the window but reportedly could not agree a fee.

Chiriches has also endured an indifferent season, often filling in at right-back while Kyle Walker was sidelined with injury earlier in the season, and he has been reportedly of interest to Roma.

Should Spurs seek a loan deal for a striker it appears their options are limited. Sky sources understand they have cooled their interest in the Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike, for example, while Burnley have ruled out selling Danny Ings this month.

Sky sources understand Tottenham are interested in young MK Dons midfielder Dele Alli, who is also a target for Aston Villa, but reports that Spurs have signed Winston Reid on a pre-contract agreement for the summer are not true.

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