Timing of injury hard to swallow

Last updated : 24 August 2006 By SpursMAD

Paul Stalteri found himself watching Tottenham's last two pre-season friendlies from the substitutes' bench.

In a similar way to Aaron Lennon grabbing an early opportunity in the starting line-up gifted by injury to Wayne Routledge a year ago, Stalteri has come back only to find that summer signing Benoit Assou-Ekotto has replaced him at full-back. The player signed from Lens has fitted in at left-back with last season's left sided full-back Young Pyo-Lee switching to the right, the position occupied by Stalteri for most of last season.

"It wasn't the best pre-season. It was going alright until I injured my ankle and was out for a few weeks. I haven't really played a big part in the games and I was a bit disappointed about that," said Stalteri.

The last time Spurs visited the Reebok Stadium was in November 2005, a trip which left us with no more points than before the game.

Stalteri added: "Last season we did well at Bolton, we outplayed them but they were a little bit lucky."

"Bolton have proved over the last few years how good a side they are, that you have to be 100 per cent concentrated against them or the ball will end up in the back of your net."

Source: TottenhamHotspur.com