Hoddle shrugs off 'hits on chin'

Glenn Hoddle tonight faced up to his critics after Tottenham’s woeful week ended with a double injury blow and declared: "We’ll carry on regardless."

The Spurs boss is likely to have to wait until tomorrow for the result of Milenko Acimovic’s scan this lunchtime on his hamstring strain.

But he knows he can forget seeing Gus Poyet - who suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Gillingham - back on the pitch until November.

Hoddle promptly denied this and criticised Pleat for giving journalists a -bum steer- on their story - a remark that sparked reports that Hoddle was on the verge of quitting White Hart Lane over his insufficient transfer kitty.

After another round of angry denials from the boss, striker Les Ferdinand was ruled out of the start of the season and Hoddle lost an ambitious transfer battle with AC Milan to sign Brazil ace Rivaldo.

So Acimovic’s injury in last night’s 4-0 friendly victory at Crystal Palace was the last thing Hoddle needed.

But the White Hart Lane chief insists the current media storm will blow over.

"There’s been a lot of stuff written in the papers that you have to take on the chin," he said.

"As soon as we get into the season and get a couple of good results, the papers will be off our back.

"We’ll carry on and take a few bits on the chin - as you have to do that."

Hoddle insists new faces are still on the agenda, telling spurs.co.uk:

"We’re working away behind the scenes towards making a couple of good signings. A lot of clubs are doing that as well."

Uruguayan Poyet, 34, suffered his knee injury at the Priestfield Stadium at the weekend - and after undergoing scans has been told he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He scored both goals in the 2-1 win, but Hoddle said: "He damaged his knee, won’t start the season and could be out for some time. We don’t know quite how long.

"It’s a big blow for Gus, who didn’t have one day in the treatment room last season. He’s had a scan and it’s not going to be anything this side of three months.

"It will certainly be that or a little bit more. It is a blow to us."

Hoddle is hoping for better news on new signing Acimovic.

"It was a contraction of the hamstring," he added.

"With losing Gus, the last thing I wanted was for anything to happen to Milenko.

"We’re hoping it’s a contraction rather than a pull and we got him off pretty quickly to protect him.

"This is the horrible feeling for managers in pre-season. You have to play the games for the match practice, but can end up getting injuries.

"It happens to every club, not just us, and we’ve got to battle on and hope Milenko is not long-term."