Spurs and Egypt agree Mido deal

The deal eases concerns over how Spurs will cope without the 22-year-old and also raises the prospects of him landing a permanent transfer when his loan, from Roma, expires at the end of the season.

Mido will return to England after playing for Egypt in a friendly against Nigeria on 9 January before departing again for the tournament which begins on 20 January. Egypt, who are the hosts, have not opted to take up their right to call up the player two weeks before the start of the competition.

Chelsea are trying to clarify when their players - Didier Drogba, Geremi and Michael Essien - will be called up by their countries.

Spurs, meanwhile, will step up their interest in Southampton's 16-year-old Theo Walcott although they face stiff competition from Arsenal and Chelsea.