Woodgate to shore up Spurs defence

Woodgate will sign a three-and-ahalf year deal at White Hart Lane after snubbing the chance to rejoin Newcastle United and play under manager Kevin Keegan.

The 28-year-old centre back's arrival will be particularly timely following Dawson's display yesterday as Spurs crashed out of the FA Cup fourth round, 3-1 away to Manchester United.

Dawson was at fault for Carlos Tevez's equaliser after Robbie Keane put his side ahead.

He then compounded matters with a deliberate handball under pressure form Wayne Rooney that saw the Spurs defender sent off and Cristiano Ronaldo convert the resulting penalty. Ronaldo rounded matters off two minutes from time when his deflected shot squirmed under the body of goalkeeper Radek Cerny.

Ramos insisted that the scoreline was not a fair reflection of the game.

He said: "We matched Manchester United at all times and had many possibilities to score.

"The game was closer than the score suggests. I thought we coped well with the challenge of playing them on their own ground.

"There were some decisive moments in the game and we deserved more from it."

Woodgate's deal has an option for a further two years while the former Leeds and Real Madrid defender's wage packet is believed to be within Tottenham's £60,000-aweek ceiling.

Persistent injury problems have blighted Woodgate's career but when fit there is little doubt he remains one of England's best centre-backs. And although Ledley King was absent again yesterday, a partnership of the Tottenham skipper and Woodgate would be as solid as any in the Barclays Premier League.

Woodgate's desire to work with Ramos is understood to have been a key motivating factor while the improvement in Tottenham's fitness levels since the Spanish coach's arrival has been marked.

His decision to turn down the chance to rejoin Newcastle comes in the wake of reports yesterday of player unrest at Keegan's lack of tactical preparation ahead of their Cup tie against Arsenal. In addition, Woodgate's father, Alan, revealed Alan Shearer's decision not to become Keegan's No 2 had been instrumental in his son opting for North London.

Spurs ranks are set to be swelled yet further as Brazilian defender Gilberto passed a medical yesterday. With Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou- Ekotto out with long-term injuries, Ramos has opted to move for the Hertha Berlin left back now.