News: Tottenham's build-up to the season has been a maelstrom of bad results and bad news, Robbie Keane providing the latest blow when he broke down with an ankle ligament injury in the 2-0 defeat at Rangers on Wednesday. Keane went for a scan to assess the extent of the injury yesterday, and could miss the start of the season and the beginning of Ireland's opening World Cup qualifying campaign.

There have also been injuries to Simon Davies, while Frederic Kanoute, a second of Spurs' three senior strikers, is sidelined with illness.

There are also rumours that the first cracks have emerged in the relationship between Tottenham's sporting director Frank Arnesen and head coach Jacques Santini.

It was alleged that an argument erupted between Arnesen and Santini following the Rangers game and that at half-time, assistant coach Martin Jol voiced his concerns in a heated dressing-room exchange with Santini.

Arnesen has been charged with overseeing the club's youth and transfer strategies, with Santini in charge of team affairs. The Dutchman was recommended by Arnesen, the former PSV Eindhoven technical director who knew Jol from Holland but Jol is used to being his own man.

Santini needed good pre-season results to provide a strong foundation. But the Frenchman has been hampered by his lack of English.

Santini has apparently found it difficult to penetrate the bond between Jol and Arnesen and a fissure appears to have opened in the head coach's relationship with the sporting director.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's new signing Josemi has put pressure on Republic of Ireland defender Steve Finnan by declaring that his best position is right-back.

The £2 million purchase from Malaga has joined the Liverpool squad preparing for tomorrow morning's friendly with Porto in Toronto.

He has ended speculation about his best defensive position having been described as a left-sided central defender, left-back and right-back.

Now Josemi insists he prefers to play on the right flank.