Spurs wait on Defoe for clash with Blades

TOTTENHAM’S England defender Michael Dawson insists a victory over Premiership newcomers Sheffield United tonight will help them forget about their opening-day disaster at Bolton.

Spurs lost 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday and must now go into their clash against United sweating on the fitness of England striker Jermain Defoe, who has a bruised foot and will undergo a late fitness test.

Coach Martin Jol said: “Jermain is a worry. He bruised his foot but he’s a tough lad and maybe he’ll be in the squad, we’ll have to see.”

Spurs will have midfielder Teemu Tainio back after he missed the Bolton game with a twisted ankle and Dawson believes it is vital to get back to winning ways against the Blades.

Neil Warnock’s side held Liverpool to a draw on the opening day and they will be very physical opponents for Jol’s side, but Dawson said: “Bolton was a disappointing result and performance from our point of view and we are obviously very low.

“We’ve got to put it behind us now and look to United. We’ve got to get our heads down and work on what we didn’t do. I think Bolton’s first goal was definitely a free-kick having seen a replay, but we are disappointed to have conceded from a set piece.

“The second one was a great goal by Ivan Campo and sometimes you have got to hold your hands up. We just didn’t perform on the day though. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways, put Bolton behind us and work towards it not happening again.”

Boss Jol admitted he is looking for an improvement after conceding that his side left itself with too much to do after going 2-0 down at Bolton inside the opening 13 minutes.

Kevin Davies headed Wanderers in front after Spurs defender Calum Davenport appeared to have been fouled as he went to clear Gary Speed’s corner.

His goal was followed by a low 35-yard drive from Campo which had goalkeeper Paul Robinson comprehensively beaten.

Jol said: “We know if we keep a clean sheet we are always capable of scoring a goal because we can break quickly with Aaron Lennon and score a goal out of nothing, but they scored the first goal.

“If you keep a clean sheet you get more space and you can break but that didn’t happen. We tried everything with Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, Dimitar Berbatov and Aaron Lennon all on, but it wasn’t good enough.

“If you play away from home against a team like Bolton you maybe get three or four chances and if it’s 0-0 it’s okay, but if it’s 2-0 it’s really difficult.

“We didn’t do enough in the second half because when you have the initiative you have to score goals and create things and we didn’t do that.”