Published: 25 Octoer, 2012
OFF THE SHELF with DAN CARRIER

MIDFIELD general Scott Parker has begun the slow transition to backroom staff at White Hart Lane.

The 32-year-old, who has yet to play this season after being dogged by an achilles tendon injury, has started his coaching badges and been running training sessions at Tottenham’s new Enfield Training Centre for the club’s under-18s.

It is rumoured that unless the ankle injury improves drastically, the one-time captain and stalwart of Harry Redknapp’s midfield could be moved upstairs to give younger players the benefit of his vast experience.

Meanwhile, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas is fretting over the fitness of summer signing

Moussa Dembele, who has a niggling hip injury. It forced him to sit out Saturday’s 4-2 home defeat to league leaders Chelsea and there are now fears he could face an autumn on the sidelines.

On Saturday Spurs also missed Gareth Bale, who pulled out of the match against their London rivals an hour before kick-off when his girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones went into labour.

With the blessing of the club the winger rushed to Cardiff to be with her. The couple had their first child, a baby girl, on Sunday.

Full back Benoit Assou-Ekotto told his followers on Twitter this week that he was out running again after missing a month with a knee injury.

This Sunday’s game away at Southampton, however, comes too soon for the defender.