THE arrival of Salva Ballesta from Valencia - another success for manager Sam Allardyce's patience and dogged determination - has fuelled speculation that Michael Ricketts could still be targeted for an 11th hour move to Spurs.

Glenn Hoddle yesterday offloaded Ukrainian misfit striker Sergei Rebrov to Turkish club Fenerbahce and midfielder Tim Sherwood to First Division leaders Portsmouth in an effort to raise cash.

But the London club are still struggling to match Wanderers' valuation of their seven-goal top scorer with Allardyce suggesting a deal was "highly unlikely" before the transfer window closes at midnight Friday.