• Premier League

Huddlestone admits he may need to leave Spurs

ESPN staff
April 23, 2013
AVB has praised his substitutes for changing the game against City

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone has hinted that he may be forced to leave the north London club this summer.

The powerhouse midfielder, who made a big impact when he came off the bench to help inspire Tottenham's 3-1 win against Manchester City, has struggled to win a regular spot in manager Andre Villas-Boas's line-up after reports suggested he came close to a move to Fulham during the last transfer window.

Now it seems as if the 26-year-old appears to be ready to seek pastures new after failing to make a Premier League start since November.

"There are times when I think I might need a move, especially if you don't play for a few months," Huddlestone is quoted as saying in several newspapers.

"The manager has reassured me that I am in his plans, even though time-wise on the pitch, it hasn't always been shown that way. You speak to the manager every day and if you are not playing for a sustained period then you do wonder what's going on.

"I am 26 now. I missed a year to 18 months through injury. You just want to play every game and if that opportunity is not at Tottenham, then I will have to look elsewhere. It's been a frustrating few months.

"There was talk about a move to Fulham, although nothing came that close to happening. You can't really judge it over the last five games or whatever. You've got to see the bigger picture throughout the whole season and speak to the manager and see if you're in his plans or not.

"I guess it's just a case of biding your time and if you are given a slight opportunity towards the end of games try and prove to the manager that you should be in the starting side as well."

While Tottenham have opted to play out the second half of this season with just two recognised strikers in Jermain Defoe and the out of form Emmanuel Adebayor, Villas-Boas has been given a squad overloaded with experienced midfielders.

Huddlestone joins the likes of Clint Dempsey, Lewis Holtby, Mousa Dembele, Scott Parker, Sandro, Jake Livermore and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the battle to secure regular first team action.

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