Ricky Sbragia hoping Teemu Tainio fit to play at Portsmouth

May 13 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

But Spurs manager Harry Redknapp dismissed suggestions that Djibril Cissé is bound for White Hart Lane as premature.

The France striker is on a season-long loan from Marseilles but it seems highly unlikely the Black Cats will take up their option to sign him permanently at a cost of around £10m.

Cissé’s agent, Ranko Stojic, this week told a French newspaper Tottenham had agreed to buy his client at the end of the season.

Redknapp, who annoyed the Wearsiders when he went public over his interest in Cissé’s strike partner Kenwyne Jones in January, has denied the claim, however.

“No we haven’t made any inquiries for anybody at the moment,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats’ under-18s will be at the Stadium of Light tonight aiming to end another successful season on a high.

Last month the juniors won their Premier Academy League group for the third year running. Tonight they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final of the league’s play-offs, with the winners taking on Arsenal in the final.

Kick-off is at 7pm. Admission is £3 for adults, £1 for under-16s.

l Hull chairman Paul Duffen claims the Tigers must beat Bolton on Saturday after falling into the Premier League’s bottom three.

Duffen saw his club make a superb start to the season but their form has faded and Newcastle’s victory over Middlesbrough saw them slip into the relegation zone.

They are adrift of Newcastle on goal difference with two games remaining, and face Manchester United on the final day.

“Certainly a win on Saturday is imperative,” Duffen said. “Bolton have proved they’re a really robust side. If we (beat Bolton) then we’ll have an eye on results elsewhere.

“There are clubs that may not yet be in the mix who could come into it over these last two games.”