Football: Dozzell jumps at chance to join Spurs: Ipswich schemer takes on the Hoddle role at White Hart Lane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, embarrassed by a return visit from the original at the weekend, have recruited a midfield player who says he can be 'the next Glenn Hoddle'. It was a bold claim for Jason Dozzell to make after joining Spurs from Ipswich Town yesterday, but he can point to an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as evidence of his ability to make an impression.

The former England Under-21 player, who is valued by Ipswich at pounds 2m, had no doubts about taking his perceptive, penetrating passing to north London. 'They play my kind of football and I believe the move will give me a platform to break into the England set-up,' Dozzell said after signing a four-year contract. 'I can be the next Glenn Hoddle. I supported Tottenham as a boy and Glenn was my idol. I have every confidence I can do a similar job for the club.'

Tottenham's manager Ossie Ardiles, who hoped a fee could be agreed without recourse to the tribunal, moved quickly and quietly for a player he holds in high regard. 'We have some great young talent at the club but we are short on experience and in Jason we have signed quality,' the Argentinian said.

Although only 25, Dozzell played more than 400 games for Ipswich. He made his debut in 1984, aged 16 years and 57 days, scoring against Coventry City in the First Division to earn a place in the record books.

Aston Villa also got their man yesterday. Ron Atkinson took his spending in two years as Villa's manager to pounds 14m when he agreed terms with Portsmouth's Guy Whittingham, the leading scorer in England last season with 47 goals. Portsmouth will receive about pounds 800,000 in cash, plus Villa's former England Under-21 midfield player, Mark Blake, to make up the pounds 1.2m fee.

Another forward who will soon be on the move is Nigel Jemson, who has asked Sheffield Wednesday for a transfer.

Ryan Giggs needed two stitches in a gash above his eye last night after his Manchester United team-mate Clayton Blackmore caught him with his studs while doing exercises in the dressing-room during half- time of the match against Celtic at Old Trafford. United won 1-0 with a goal by the Ukrainian Andrei Kanchelskis.

Football as crime cover, page 7

Graham's bright ideas, page 30