Source: Team_Talk
No excuses from Spurs star Modric
uka Modric has warned Tottenham they cannot use their midweek trip to Switzerland as an excuse should they lose at Stoke on Saturday.[LNB] Spurs, who finished fourth last season to earn a shot at Europe's elite club competition, recovered from a shambolic opening half hour when they trailed 3-0 to Young Boys on the artificial turf in Bern to net two crucial away goals which kept alive hopes of reaching the lucrative Champions League group stage.[LNB]The result, though, did not come without cost as both Modric and striker Jermain Defoe went off with groin injuries which could rule them out of Saturday's trip to the Britannia Stadium.[LNB]However, Croatia playmaker Modric maintains having to lift yourself for another tough domestic encounter is all part and parcel of competing at the highest level.[LNB]"To go away twice in four days - that is football, you cannot choose the games or where you play," Modric said, quoted in the Evening Standard.[LNB]"Some other teams struggle but, I hope we play well.[LNB]"We have big qualities to play in the Champions League and we will show that this season.[LNB]"It is very physical challenge at Stoke like always, but we know that.[LNB]"We beat them last year and I think we can do it again this year."[LNB]Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is set to recall Aaron Lennon for the trip to Stoke, after not wanting to risk the England winger on the artificial surface at the Stade de Suisse, while midfielder Tom Huddlestone suffered sore ankles from the pitch, and centre-back Ledley King did not even travel.[LNB]Redknapp will be praying his squad can battle through next week's second leg at White Hart Lane, where a 1-0 victory would see them join Chelsea, Manchester United and north London rivals Arsenal in the group phase for the first time.[LNB]Qualification and the instant windfall which comes with it would almost certainly allow Redknapp to dip into the transfer market again before the August 31 deadline.[LNB]While target Loic Remy looks set to move to Marseille in a £12.4million deal from Nice, Spurs continue to be linked with another loan deal for Eidur Gudjohnsen, who spent time at the club last season, along with Sevilla's £15m-rated Brazilian frontman Luis Fabiano, as well as Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.[LNB]Reports suggest former Arsenal defender William Gallas, now a free agent, could be set to make a controversial switch to White Hart Lane, provided a compromise on his £90,000-a-week salary demands can be reached, while Tottenham has been touted as a possible destination for another ex-Gunner Alexander Hleb, who is surplus to requirements at Barcelona.[LNB]Striker Robbie Keane, meanwhile, is said to have been told his future lies elsewhere - with West Ham keen on the Republic of Ireland forward, whose potential move to Aston Villa collapsed following the departure of Martin O'Neill.
