Spurs to probe Assou-Ekotto´s clash with fan

Tottenham have launched an investigation into the confrontation between Cameroon left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto and a home supporter following Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton at White Hart Lane.

Assou-Ekotto had to be restrained by Tottenham assistant manager Joe Jordan after reacting angrily to jeers as he left the pitch on Saturday.

Police and stewards were made aware of the incident and a club spokesman confirmed they are looking into the matter.

“We are aware of the incident and we are investigating,” said the spokesman. “The police are speaking to everyone involved.”

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp meanwhile revealed David Bentley and Roman Pavlyuchenko had been dropped from the squad for the game that was decided by Kevin Doyle’s third minute header.

Redknapp criticised Bentley for a lack of effort during a midweek practice game against non-league Grays Athletic and this latest move increases the possibility both players could leave the club in January.

“They’re fit, but I left them off the bench. David played in a practice match and didn’t deserve to be on the bench, nor did Pavlyuchenko,” Redknapp said.

“Other players have worked hard all week to get in the team, put in 110 percent, I have to send a message out to them as well sometimes. You ask players to come and work hard to get in the squad.

“It’s up to them to work hard to get on the bench and it’s up to them to work even harder to get in the team.”

Redknapp was frustrated at his side’s failure to beat a team that started the game in the bottom three and defeat comes as a blow to Spurs hopes of breaking into the top four this season.

The manager accepted his players had not created enough chances but warned they can expect similarly tough games in the coming months, although he welcomed the return of Luka Modric after a broken leg.

“We don’t lose at home very often,” he said. “We have to pick ourselves up on Wednesday against Manchester City. You have days it goes your way, some days it don’t.

“You have to get used to teams coming here and making it difficult for us. When they score it makes it different.

“Luka can open the door for you. He has the ability to do that but it will be a few weeks before we see the best of him. Half hour was about all he could expect out of him. Two weeks ago he was way off.

“Circumstances probably pushed me into giving him a bit more than I wanted to. He’s a passer, he can open up packed defences. But we won’t see a packed defence on Wednesday. Manchester City will have a go.”

A second half injury to David Edwards took the gloss off Wolverhampton’s win and manager Mick McCarthy confirmed the player could be out for two months after slipping awkwardly.

McCarthy, though, was delighted to record back to back wins although he warned his side face tough fixtures ahead.

“Somebody’s just given me a statistic,” he said. “I can’t remember it but we haven’t won back to back games for about 300 years. It’s a nice feeling but we’ve done alright away from home.

“We’ve beaten Wigan and did well at Stoke and Everton. We’re not cannon fodder when we go away.

“This will be a far greater boost than the two slappings we got against Arsenal and Chelsea but we’ve got Manchester United on Tuesday and then we’ve got our supposed big game against Burnley.

“Let’s enjoy it for what it is. We’ve got 16 points not 30, let’s enjoy it.

“Unless we’re tenth don?t come and tell me where we are. We’ve had two wins and now we’ve got Manchester United than Burnley and Man City and Liverpool – another four easy games coming up.”