New deal cheer for Doherty

Gary Doherty has found the perfect silver lining to his recent defensive storm cloud by signing a new contract with Tottenham.

The Republic of Ireland utility man was one of the players was criticised for individual errors which have cost Spurs goals in recent games.

However, manager David Pleat wanted to show he still had faith in Doherty and offered an extended deal which he signed at the end of last week.

“We are delighted that Gary has signed a new contract,” said Pleat. “He has done ever so well as a centre-back, although he had a terrible time in our last home game.

“However, I decided it was time to say ‘we believe in you, and you have a future here’. I thought Doherty and Anthony Gardner looked a very good combination in a run of games.

“I am pleased because he is a very genuine player who can do okay. He came here from Luton and was doing quite well but then he broke his leg which set him back.

“It was just before he broke his leg that we were talking about a new contract, so it never got adjusted as he was a victim of circumstances. However, I am delighted that has now been put right.”

Doherty follows Ledley King who also recently signed a new deal, and Pleat revealed there are one or two others who will be revealed in the coming weeks.

It is all part of a rebuilding process which Pleat believes will enhance the club.

“You wouldn’t believe how hard we have worked since the start of last season when we had 52 registered players, which I always thought was too much,” said Pleat. “We are now down to 41 plus three out on loan and I could trim that by another six.

“It might be that players of a certain age whose contract is expiring will be offered a new deal, otherwise we might say thank you for your service and part company.”

Tottenham have recalled goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld from a loan at Gillingham and he will sit on the bench for tomorrow’s visit of Newcastle.

The Canadian played two games for the Gills but his loan had to be cut short when regular goalkeeping deputy Rob Burch suffered an ankle injury playing for the reserves in midweek.

Frederic Kanoute and Christian Ziege return to the squad after missing Tuesday’s trip to Middlesbrough. Simon Davies is still ruled out but has been given the go-ahead to start training again on Monday after suffering from a shin complaint.

Pleat added: “We’ve had good news on Simon – he’s going to start training again on Monday. When we played at Charlton and won 4-2 I thought that was a team that could go on.

“Simon had a very good game, probably needed two or three games to get going again after being out for a long time but had a setback after the Welsh game. But he is smiling again.”