David Pleat today revealed that Tottenham have asked FIFA for confirmation that striker Freddie Kanoute is eligible to play for Mali in the African Cup of Nations that start in Tunisia at the end of the month.
Spurs face the prospect of being without their leading scorer Kanoute at a time when they have slipped into the bottom three of the Barclaycard Premiership and have lost their last four League matches as well as being knocked out of the Carling Cup.
They meet first division London neighbours Crystal Palace tomorrow in the FA Cup third round knowing defeat will increase the growing crisis and the unrest among their fans.
Though Kanoute has played for the French under-21 side, a new rule from FIFA, the game's world governing body, allows players to play for other country's if they have not played full internationals.
Kanoute joined Spurs from West Ham in the summer, his parents originate from Mali and he is set to represent them in the tournament that takes place between January 24-February 14.
But Spurs caretaker manager Pleat said: "We are awaiting confirmation from FIFA that he is indeed eligible to play for Mali. There is a new FIFA ruling and Freddie has played for France in a competitive game, an under-21 game. "We will await some comment from FIFA."