Kanoute's career statistics

Kanoute said on Monday he had decided to accept Mali's invitation, but then Spurs boss Pleat asked him to stay.

But now Haidara Mamadou of the Malian football federation has said Kanoute will attend a training camp in Morocco later in January.

"He said he will come to play and he will join the team in Morocco," Mamadou told the Evening Standard.

Mamadou spoke to 26-year-old Kanoute on Tuesday and reported: "He said it is his decision. He is very excited and determined to do his best."

Tottenham know Kanoute is within his rights to play in the tournament, which he is eligible for under new Fifa rules despite having played for the French Under-21 team.

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But Spurs are desperate not to lose their �3.6m top scorer to a competition which starts in Tunisia on 24 January and ends on 14 February.

Pleat, whose team are in the relegation zone, had said: "It is a tester for him whether he wants to stay and fight.

"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."