Mystery surrounded the future of Glenn Hoddle last night after Tottenham claimed they were involved in talks with their former midfield star about returning to the club as manager.

Tottenham, who sacked former boss George Graham earlier this month, insisted they had been given permission by Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe to speak to Hoddle, who has a contract running until the end of next season at The Dell.

But Lowe immediately responded saying: "I have not given formal permission to anybody to speak to Glenn."

Hoddle did not show for a scheduled training session at Southampton yesterday morning.

The former England manager is understood to have an escape clause in his current contract which allows him to join another club upon payment of a compensation figure of £800,000 sterling.

Striker Con Boutsianis was included yesterday in the Australian national football squad for the first time, less than a week before he faces sentence for his part in an armed robbery.

Coach Frank Farina ignored pressure from within the Soccer Australia (SA) board, saying he picked the squad he wanted on availability, form and ability.

Boutsianis, the getaway driver in a robbery at a Melbourne Chinese restaurant three years ago, has pleaded guilty to a charge of theft and will be sentenced on Monday, a week before the Socceroos open their World Cup campaign in Coffs Harbour, northern New South Wales.

The prosecution will not pursue a jail sentence and Boutsianis, who is on bail, expects to be free to play in the Oceania group opener against Tonga.