SPURS ALLOW NORWEGIANS IN

THE NORWEGIAN national assistant manager Harald Aabrekk has been allowed to watch Tottenham`s Scandinavian trio train which could provide a boost to Espen Baardsen as he attempts to force his way into the Euro 2000 squad.

Aabrekk had been refused permission to attend Spurs` training sessions as his initial request was bizarelly refused.

But Baardsen, who has not played for the London side`s first team this season will be desperate to prove his worth.

Steffen Iversen and Øyvind Leonhardsen will also be keen to impress the Norwegian assistant manager. According to the Bergens Tidende, a Norwegian daily newspaper, Spurs manager George Graham refused Aabrekk`s request to watch the players train in February but now the club have changed their mind.

A statement from the club read: "It`s true that Tottenham manager George Graham received a request from the Norwegian FA about allowing their people permission to be allowed in Spurs Lodge during training as well as spend time with the medical team.

Unfortunately he was not able to grant their request because of the fixture list at the time. George Graham has never refused any national coaches to watch their players in training, and we`re certain that the matter will be resolved."