Spurs wait on Mido availability

Tottenham were today waiting to learn whether their Egyptian striker Mido will make himself available for selection for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The striker, on loan at Spurs from Roma, is set to miss Friday’s African Nations Cup final against Ivory Coast after being expelled from the national squad.

Mido was kicked out of the squad following a heated row with coach Hassan Shehata and has been suspended from international duty for six months.

The 22-year-old exchanged angry words on the touchline with Shehata after being hauled off during their 2-1 semi-final victory over Senegal.

Mido had to be dragged away by coaching staff but his replacement, Amr Zaki, scored the winner to set up the prospect of a thrilling final.

Unless the Egyptian FA have a dramatic change of heart Mido will miss the pinnacle of the African tournament, but it is not the first time he has crossed swords with national chiefs.

Mido was recalled to the Egypt squad for their World Cup qualifier against Libya last March after being banned from the national team in September 2004.

He claimed a groin problem had prevented him from playing against Cameroon in a World Cup qualifier but he turned out for Roma within 24 hours, to the fury of Egypt’s fans.

Egypt’s former coach Marco Tardelli insisted he would not pick the striker again and his stance was backed by the country’s footballing bosses.

Spurs have confirmed striker Grzegorz Rasiak has moved to Southampton on loan for the rest of the season before sealing the deal permanently in the summer for £2m (€2.9m).

The Polish international striker joined Spurs from Derby in August and made nine appearances in all competitions, including four starts in the Premiership.

“We signed Grzegorz at a time when we knew we needed cover for Mido by way of a second target man,” said coach Martin Jol.

“He had a good spell in our reserves, often scoring, but when Mido left for the African Nations Cup, we had to bring him into the first team.

“But he lacked rhythm due to his lack of games at that level. He was a player we needed time with in an ideal world, but this is the Premiership and time is a luxury we don’t have.

“Also, with strikers, confidence is everything and I think back to when his goal against Liverpool was disallowed. Things might have been very different. I have talked with Grzegorz and I know he is unhappy about his time with us and that is to be expected.

“I too am disappointed that it has not worked out better, but it is right that both sides now move on.

“Grzegorz wants to play football every week, particularly in a World Cup year and I respect that. I wish him well at Southampton.”