Tottenham v Wigan Athletic: PORTSMOUTH HAVE admitted Jermain Defoe wants to leave Fratton Park and hope the England international's availability will lead to an auction that inflates his transfer fee, with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa both pursuing the striker.
Spurs, who host Wigan tonight in the FA Cup, remain the most likely suitors but Daniel Levy, the chairman, has no intention of becoming embroiled in a bidding war that leads to the club paying significantly more than the €8 million Portsmouth handed them to buy him 12 months ago.
Around half of that transfer fee is still outstanding, strengthening Tottenham's position, and the north London club is also hopeful that the player's apparent desire to return to White Hart Lane will prove crucial.
Villa and, should they enter the race, Manchester City could both offer a significantly bigger fee but Spurs reason that, with a disaffected player on their hands, Portsmouth could be forced to accept a lower bid if Defoe decides he wishes to go back to his former club.
Portsmouth have accepted Defoe is keen to move. "It looks like Jermain wants to go. That is something we will be speaking to him about," said Portsmouth's chief executive Peter Storrie.
"If Jermain goes it will be at our price and if there is an offer which appeals. We have always said we do not keep people who do not want to play for Portsmouth. We do not have to sell anyone but if he wants to go that is a different matter."
Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, and Harry Redknapp, his Spurs counterpart, are desperate to increase their attacking options although the latter has said he will not be held to ransom.
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone has an ankle injury and will miss tonight's game.
Skipper Ledley King will be rested, Benoit Assou-Ekotto is suspended and Jermaine Jenas (calf) is a doubt, but Giovani dos Santos (ankle) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (illness) have been back in training. Full-back Alan Hutton (foot) is a long-term absentee.
Amr Zaki will be missing for Wigan with a knee injury.
In a statement on his personal website, Zaki revealed he has been ruled out of the match after taking a knock in the game against Bolton.
Zaki joins a list of absentees that includes Emile Heskey (hamstring) and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (groin).
Lee Cattermole is also out through suspension.
