Keane suspended for forthcoming games

Spurs captain Robbie Keane will be suspended for both upcoming games against Manchester City, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

The Irish striker was sent off against Birmingham City on Sunday, and with his two-footed challenge earning him a straight red card he was handed an immediate three-match ban.

The White Hart Lane club launched an appeal, but the original decision by referee Phil Dowd has been upheld.

The two clubs face each other twice in just over a week this month, with the Blues travelling to north London this Sunday and then hosting Juande Ramos and his men for the Carling Cup quarter final on December 18th – Keane will also miss Spurs’ Premier League encounter against Portsmouth in-between.

-mcfc.co.uk

Undoubtedly, they will be both be tough games but despite Juande Ramos having a few games under his belt now he hasn't (as yet) managed to eradicate some of the woes that plagued previous manager Martin Jol this season - particularly the defensive frailties evidenced the past week in their win over Aalborg in the UEFA Cup and defeat on Sunday to Birmingham, something which will no doubt encourage Sven and the coaching staff as we look to both end an average set of away trips in the league and bid to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals.