Armstrong joins Spurs' sick parade

Adrian Curtis13 April 2012
Everton 0 Tottenham 0

Tottenham's injury crisis deepened today with striker Chris Armstrong joining the club's increasing sick list.

Armstrong missed Saturday's trip to Goodison with a groin problem and could be out for a number of weeks.

Manager George Graham was forced to field more youngsters on Merseyside after England defender and skipper Sol Campbell failed a late fitness test along with striker Les Ferdinand.

To make matters worse, German midfielder Steffen Freund may need an operation on the Achilles problem which has left him on the sidelines in recent weeks.

Freund was given an injection on his damaged Achilles last week but was still complaining of pain in the run-up to Saturday's game and there are worries he may now be out for the rest of the season.

A string of fine saves from keeper Neil Sullivan kept the home side at bay but the the former Wimbledon star confirmed he has now been banned for two games following his red card against Newcastle.

Sullivan will miss Saturday's clash with Southampton along with the FA Cup fourth round game against either Dagenham and Redbridge or Charlton. Midfielder Tim Sherwood will also miss the Southampton match through suspension.

Sullivan was dismissed for bringing down Newcastle's Kieron Dyer and Tottenham failed in their attempts to get referee Steve Bennett to reconsider his original decision.

The Scotland keeper was delighted with his own performance which single handedly earned Graham's men a vital point. He said: "These are the kind of games we didn't get anything from at the start of the season but we dug in and got the point."

Everton's former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell forced Sullivan into a number of saves and then hit the post. But as the game wore on Spurs began to exercise a measure of control and Graham replaced Willem Korsten with former non-league ace Dave McEwan for his Premiership debut.

The youngster, signed from Dulwich Hamlet, did not look out of place and now wants to challenge for a regular first team spot. He said: "It was a surprise to be playing because I've only had 45 minutes in the reserves since returning from injury. But if the chance comes along you want to take it."

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