Spurs boss Ramos forced into U-turn on January spending

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos has revealed his first priority must be to "save this season".

With trips to Portsmouth and Arsenal before Christmas, the Spaniard knows there is still a fight on to move Spurs away from the relegation battle in which they became embroiled following a grim start to the campaign under Martin Jol.

And Ramos has now apparently changed his mind about signing players in the January transfer window despite saying "only desperate clubs" do so.

With teenage prodigy Gareth Bale ruled out for three months by a foot injury and centre-back Ledley King still struggling to make a comeback after missing all season so far, Ramos told www.football.co.uk website: "We won't be making changes to the whole group in January but we will be trying to bring in a certain player to strengthen a certain position.

"We must wait until the end of the season to make a full analysis of the squad but it is certain that it is the defence which is giving us the most problems right now.

"My first priority is to save this season and lay the groundwork for next season. The players need to rebuild their confidence and believe in themselves again.

"But I cannot hide my dream to give Tottenham back their historical glory and to put them up there with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United."