Tottenham have been encouraged by suggestions Newcastle centre-back Sebastien Bassong wants to move to White Hart Lane.

Bassong is expected to leave St James' Park this summer following relegation from the Barclays Premier League, with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp understood to be interested in the 23-year-old Frenchman, who can play for Cameroon.

Newcastle have refused to comment on reports Bassong was fined two weeks' wages for refusing to travel to Scotland for last weekend's friendly at Dundee.

The former Metz player - who has also been linked with Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa - did not play in the 1-1 draw.

He is suspended for the Championship opener at West Brom.

Redknapp needs cover in defence following injuries to Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate, with Ledley King unable to train regularly or play matches in quick succession.

The Spurs boss has been in the market for a defensive midfielder and wanted former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, with Toulouse's Moussa Sissoko a possible alternative.

So far England striker Peter Crouch has arrived from Portsmouth but Redknapp remains in the hunt for Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Real Madrid.