Kanoute may quit Spurs dogfight

Kanoute is set to defy his club Spurs, who want the striker to reject overtures from Mali and stay at White Hart Lane.

The tournament starts in Tunisia on 24 January and Kanoute said: "I should be going with Mali. I have decided to play for them and I have told Spurs."

Frustrated Spurs caretaker boss David Pleat said: "It is a tester for him whether he wants to stay and fight."

He added: "His decision to play for Mali has not been confirmed. The matter is complicated.

"I don't think there is any way we can stop him going.

"We will have to see how the situation develops but obviously it is not in Freddie's or the club's interests for him to go."

I have decided to play for Mali and I have told Spurs Frederic Kanoute

Kanoute, 26, is Spurs' leading scorer with seven league goals this term, and his absence would be a massive blow after they sunk into the Premiership's bottom three after defeat at home to Charlton.

Kanoute was selected by Mali coach Henri Stambouli in his preliminary squad of 32 for the finals.

Although Kanoute has played for the French under-21 team, he is eligible to play for Mali under Fifa regulations.