Fit again Carrick has to wait for return

Last updated : 06 October 2005 By Spurs mad

"I was hoping to be fit for Charlton but I wasn’t ready for that.

The timing ultimately prevented the midfielder from joining the England squad preparing to qualify for the World Cup at Old Trafford.

Carrick is expected to be part of the Tottenham line-up set to take on Manchester United on October 22, which follows the visit of a struggling Everton side next Saturday.

"We seem to be moving forward at the moment and third is a good position at this stage of the season.

"It’s a confident place and everyone is positive at the moment

“It’s very early days, we made a good start and we need to build on it. At the start of the season we’d have settled for 15 points at this stage. But it is only a start and we have to maintain it with consistency."

Without Carrick in the side Tottenham’s recent performances have lacked defensive zeal, admitted Jermaine Jenas: "It's been good for us that we had the quality up front to punish teams but we haven't played particularly well in the last two games."

“In those games it’s not always about how you play but getting the three points. That’s the biggest thing when you play teams around you in the table - if you can nick those results it can take you places,” added Carrick.