Spurs keen to keep Keane

Tottenham coach Martin Jol has told striker Robbie Keane that he remains firmly in his plans despite leaving him on the bench for their home victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Spurs travel to Lancashire to play Blackburn on Wednesday night as Premiership leaders with maximum points from two games and yet to concede a goal.

Goals from Jol’s preferred strikeforce of Mido and England international Jermain Defoe put Spurs top of the table for the first time in three years.

Keane, who got in on the action as a second-half substitute against Boro, has been continually linked with a number of clubs including Everton, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

But Jol, who sold Mali striker Fredi Kanoute to Sevilla last week for £4.4m (€6.5m), is determined to hang on to Keane.

The transfer window expires at the end of the month and Jol knows that many of their Premiership rivals would love to have the Irishman in their side.

The player has remained quiet about his situation but Keane has always stressed that he places regular first-team football above anything else.

He quit Leeds for White Hart Lane because he was spending more and more time on the bench instead of on the pitch.

But Jol said: “We had the same situation last year. Even today sometimes Defoe or Mido are not happy.

“Mido reads all the speculation and sometimes comes into my office and says ‘what are you doing?’. Then I tell him that I am happy with him and the rest.

“Robbie scored 12 goals last and is a gifted player. Everybody would like to have Robbie in their team but it is impossible.

“Don’t forget he was injured for a week otherwise I might have had second thoughts about playing him against Middlesbrough because Jermain played for England during the week. He started training last Thursday and hopefully Robbie can be involved in the next couple of games and be on top of his game.”

Spurs have Michael Brown back in their squad for the first time since the former Sheffield United midfielder broke his foot against Newcastle last April.

Jol said: “It is good to have him back, he’s looked good in training and is an important part of squad so I’m happy to have him fit again.

“We have a few knocks and bruises which is normal at such a busy time with internationals also taking their toll on players, so having Michael available is good news.”