Ramos - Bent has Spurs future

Boss moves to reassure big-money striker

Last updated: 1st January 2008

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Bent: Support from Ramos

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Juande Ramos has assured Darren Bent he is part of his plans at Tottenham this season.

Bent has struggled to make an impact since arriving from Charlton but Spurs are keen to stress they do not want to sell him this month.

Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane is the preferred partnership for head coach Ramos, but the Spaniard said: "Bent and the other 20-odd players are of course part of my plans.

"He was injured against Reading and couldn't play. When he's fit, he will play."

Although Ramos is happy with the threat he has in attack, he is continuing his search for the right goalkeeping coach to work with Paul Robinson.

Robinson has been working closely with Perry Suckling from the backroom staff of the academy while Ramos looks for a successor to Hans Segers, who left White Hart Lane at the same time as former boss Martin Jol.

"We have been looking ever since my first day," said Ramos. "We've been trying to resolve it."

Support

Sporting director Damien Comolli defended Segers at the club's AGM last February when a fan questioned whether the Dutchman was to blame for Robinson's poor form at the time - then the goalkeeper was left without a coach when Ramos succeeded Jol.

Ramos has also moved to support his England keeper.

"We are very happy with Robinson and what he brings to the team and how he's helping his team-mates," he said.

Robinson produced stunning saves against Manchester City in the Carling Cup quarter-final but has also been prone to errors recently - he was to blame for at least one of the goals against Reading in Saturday's crazy 6-4 win.

Ramos believes the whole team needs to take collective responsibility for the goals conceded.

"I am worried that the team concedes so many goals," said the Spaniard.

"The whole team gives away goals, not just Robinson."