Tottenham dreaming it could be their year

The year may not end in one and Chas 'n' Dave may be closing in on retirement age, but Tottenham are once again dreaming of FA Cup glory.

Appropriately in the Chinese year of the Cockerel, Martin Jol's side look set fair for at least the quarter-finals of a competition they have not won since 1991.

After a shaky start, goals from Robbie Keane and two Jermain Defoe strikes saw Spurs recover to beat West Brom 3-1 on Saturday and book a fifth-round home tie with lowly Nottingham Forest.

The East Midlanders, who lost the 1991 final, are arguably the weakest side left in the competition and Spurs have already boosted their chances by signing Forest's best two players, Michael Dawson and Andy Reid.

Although they are Cup-tied for Sunday's match, Jol is in confident mood. The Dutchman said: "It's a long time since we won the Cup, though we have won it eight times in our history. With a nice draw, you never know, maybe we can win it this year."

Defoe's prolific form - he now has 19 goals this season - is one reason why no club will relish a tie with Spurs in the latter stages of the competition.

Lethal as his finishing may be, the England star is, however, yet to convince the club to accede to his wage demands. Defoe, who was signed from West Ham 13 months ago, wants an improved contract, but Jol insists there is no hurry to conclude negotiations.

Jol said: "He has four years left on his contract so it is no problem. Jermain is enjoying it here. He has said to us that money is not the main thing in life. He is enjoying his life and he is enjoying training, so it is not the main priority."

Meanwhile, new Spurs star Mido has been given the all-clear to resume playing for Egypt after making a public apology for failing to play in previous internationals.