Spurs continue recruitment drive

Tottenham’s sporting director Damien Comolli has vowed the club will continue to pursue available targets until the transfer window closes in three days’ time.

Spurs are currently waiting to see if Middlesbrough will accept their offer for England winger Stewart Downing but Comolli stresses the club will remain active until midnight on August 31 where they can.

Tottenham’s £8m (€12m) offer for Downing was attacked as “derisory” by Boro’s chief executive Keith Lamb but the north London side remain hopeful a deal can be brokered.

But if Spurs fail to land the player head coach Martin Jol has identified as their number one target, they will switch their attention to others capable of filling the left-sided berth.

Comolli confirmed they will remain busy in the market until the last possible moment if the right players become available.

“We will remain proactive until midnight on the 31st in the event of players becoming available who we feel will strengthen the squad,” the Frenchman said.

“This will always be our objective but it is all about the availability of good players.

“We have been associated with many players during this period of intense speculation and where we have felt that comment is appropriate to distance ourselves rom unhelpful inaccuracies, we have done so.”

Meanwhile England defender Michael Dawson believes their home defeat by Everton on Saturday left the squad with a feeling of déjà vu.

On the opening day of the season, Spurs were humbled by Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

They managed to salvage some pride with a creditable winning prformance against Sheffield United at White Hart Lane in midweek but a second-half own goal from Calum Davenport and a fine strike by Andrew Johnson gave the Toffees their first win at the ground for 21 years.

It was only Tottenham’s fourth home loss in the Premiership since November 2004 but Everton, who had Kevin Kilbane sent off for two bookable offences in the 33rd minute, were much the better side.

Dawson said: “Everton went down to 10 men early on but we couldn’t break them down and they played very well though, so credit to them as well.

“It’s so disappointing and we’re all down in the dumps again a week after we felt the same way at Bolton.

“No one likes to lose at home, it doesn’t happen to us many times at the Lane and to lose one so early in the season...what can I say? We’re all gutted.

“We’re disappointed for the fans. They are amazing week in, week out and we appreciate the miles they put in to follow us and the support they give us. We need that. It’s up to us as well to put in the performances.

“We have to work on a few things, regroup and stick together as a team, that’s the important thing.”