Tom Huddlestone admits his eight-year spell at Tottenham may have to end this summer if he does not start playing more first-team football.
Huddlestone enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom when he joined Spurs in 2005, quickly winning himself a first-team place thanks to his superb passing ability. The midfielder was instrumental in helping Tottenham qualify for the Champions League three seasons ago, but since then his progress has been severely hampered by an ankle injury.
He has started just six Barclays Premier League games over the last two seasons and concedes he may have to look elsewhere if he does not get more game-time. The ex-Derby midfielder said: "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."
There was an air of sadness in Huddlestone's voice as he talked about the possibility of leaving White Hart Lane, where he has developed a strong bond with the home fans thanks to a number of impressive displays. Huddlestone has come off the bench for Tottenham's last three games, but that may not be enough to make him stay at the club.
"I can't really judge it over the last five games or whatever," he said. "You've got to see the bigger picture throughout the whole season and speak to the manager and see if I am in his plans or not.
"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, but 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."
An extended run in the team would also give Huddlestone a better chance of cutting the huge afro which has been growing at a rapid rate for over a year.
As part of a bet to raise money for charity, the midfielder has vowed to keep the scissors away from his hair until he scores his next Premier League goal.
"I could do with it being cut before the summer, but I would rather us finish in the top four than see the barbers," said Huddlestone, who has so far raised over £11,000 for Cancer Research.
"If I had known it would go on for this long I wouldn't have made the bet."
Source: PA
