Lennon signs new long-term Spurs deal

England winger Aaron Lennon has shown his commitment to Tottenham by signing a new five-and-a-half year deal to keep him at White Hart Lane until 2012.

The 19-year-old only arrived from Leeds at the start of last season but made an instant impression and his form towards the end of the season earned an England call-up to the World Cup in Germany, where he showed glimpses of his talent in three substitute appearances.

His progress led to him being linked with other clubs but Lennon insisted: "I'm feeling really settled here at the club and I'm thoroughly enjoying my football.

"There is a terrific spirit in the squad and we have everything to play for this season."

Boss Martin Jol has a policy of bringing the best young English talent to the club, with Tom Huddlestone showing similar progress to Lennon in the current campaign.

"Aaron has taken his chances and made himself into a regular first-team player in a short space of time and we often forget how young he still is," said Dutchman Jol on official website tottenhamhotspur.com.

"As a player he is growing and developing, he is a great talent now and clearly there is so much more still to come. He is a prime example of the exciting young talent we are attracting to the club."

Lennon has been recovering from a knee inflammation and made his comeback in Sunday's draw at Cardiff after three weeks on the sidelines.

Stand-in skipper Paul Robinson has urged Spurs fans to match the atmosphere at Ninian Park when the Championship side make the trip to White Hart Lane for the FA Cup replay.

Spurs survived the hostility at Cardiff's ground to earn a draw, although their hectic schedule means the strength of Jol's squad will be tested to the limit.

"Another game," said Robinson, who is standing in as captain while Ledley King recovers from a bruised foot.

"We like that though and we'll fill White Hart Lane and make the atmosphere better than it was here (in Cardiff) - and get a result."

Calum Davenport limped on to the coach in Cardiff after taking a knock to his ankle but he is expected to be fit for this weekend's clash against Newcastle at White Hart Lane.

The centre-back did have his foot in a plastic leg brace but that was a precautionary measure, with Spurs missing King in defence for their last three matches and Anthony Gardner only just making a return from injury.

Spurs have been linked with a move for West Brom centre-back Curtis Davies as cover, particularly as Michael Dawson has played most of the season in the heart of Jol's defence.

"We've still got a lot to learn, especially with our captain Ledley King not there, but I felt that Calum Davenport has played very well over the last couple of games," Jol added.

"Every time he has filled in he has been good, while we know what Michael is like."

Despite the encouraging performances of his second-string players, the test of Jol's squad will come in the next two months when they play in a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final and also resume their UEFA Cup campaign.

They only played 40 games last season, resulting in a fifth-placed Premiership finish, but progress in the cups means the replay against Cardiff will be the 34th of the current campaign.

The Football Association of Wales will wait until looking at the referee's report and reports from the police before deciding whether any action should be taken against Cardiff for a flare being lit and a crowd disturbance towards the end of the goalless draw.

Meanwhile, Spurs will find out on January 19 whether the first leg of their UEFA Cup clash against hosts Feyenoord will have to be played behind closed doors.

UEFA have appealed against an independent disciplinary tribunal sentence of a suspended two-match crowd ban for the Dutch side after rioting by the club's fans caused a game against Nancy to be held up by 30 minutes earlier this season.

The European governing body believe the punishment is not harsh enough and if a heavier sentence is imposed, the match in Holland against Spurs - scheduled for February 14 - could be played in an empty ground.