Spurs aim for 60,000-seat White Hart Lane by 2012

Although chairman Daniel Levy would not give a timescale for the completion of the project, architects KSS believe the new ground could be ready for use by 2012.

The company's chairman David Keirle told Standard Sport: "Realistically, it is four years at best, and five if we have one or two hiccups.

"I think 2012, or maybe 2013, but there is a lot of work to be done, and a lot of people have to have their say in it, but so far it is going really well.

"The club need this stadium. It is the next step forward for them. If you look what clubs like Arsenal have done with the Emirates, Spurs have been a little bit left behind.

"But now Haringey Council is being very supportive, as is Mayor Boris Johnson, so it is all moving in the right direction."

Spurs intend to submit a planning application to the Council in 2009, and Levy added: "There is a long period - anything between six to 12 months - in terms of when planning is determined by the planning authority. It will be done as quickly as possible.

"We have been working extremely hard behind the scenes. There has been a lot of progress, and over the coming months, the fans will be pleased to see more detail come out, and see how advanced we really are."

The chairman also insisted that the plans the club have off the field will not affect any dealings in the transfer market.

He appeared to offer manager Harry Redknapp the hope that he may be able to bring more players in next month. The manager said yesterday that he felt the current squad was "well short" of what was required to break into the top five of the Premier League and challenge for a cherished Champions League place.

But when asked about Redknapp's comments, Levy's response was: "Managers are never satisfied. If you look at the performance of the team since Harry Redknapp came in as manager, we would be in the top four had the season started when he took over on 25 October.

"We will do whatever we can, but it is just that it is very difficult to buy high quality players during the January transfer window.

"I do not envisage any major transactions in or out of the club next month. When the financial world is falling apart around us, we have to exercise caution, although we will keep an open mind, should the right opportunities arise."

Levy also insisted that he is happy to leave Redknapp to do his own wheeling and dealing in the transfer market after dispensing with sporting director Damien Comolli when Juande Ramos was sacked.

He added: "In hindsight, maybe we have made some mistakes regarding the appointment of certain people, but it is not about the director of football system itself.

"Harry has abilities on a number of fronts, and I very much hope that he will be with us for many years to come."

Meanwhile, Spurs plan to speak to the Football Association in January regarding the obscene chants aimed at the club's former defender Sol Campbell during the Premier League fixture at Portsmouth on 28 September.

Hampshire Police released images of 16 men who are believed to have shouted racist and homophobic abuse at Campbell during the game at Fratton Park, but some Spurs fans dispute that the chanting was racist.

Of the 16 suspects, police believe they have identified 12 and have now questioned and released on bail a total of five.

The club's director of communications Donna Cullen said: "We will sit down to discuss the matter with the FA and Hampshire Police early in January."