Hoddle stressed that he wants to keep the former England man but confessed that he could be sold to raise money for new players.

He said: "I've got a group of players in my mind that I don't want to sell but some I might have to reluctantly.

"Darren is in that group of players."

New Leeds boss Terry Venables is reportedly interested in Anderton, a player he signed 10 years ago while in charge at White Hart Lane.

The 30-year-old could be used as bait in a deal to bring striker Robbie Keane to Spurs, although Hoddle's preferred target is Sunderland's Kevin Phillips.

Hoddle said of Anderton's possible sale: "Darren's a wonderful player and I wouldn't want him to leave, but with circumstances as they are you don't know.

"We're trying to bring in players, but the market has slowed down.

"Most clubs are now looking at swap deals rather than just spending cash. We've got to work towards that."

Hoddle's confession comes as another blow to the north London club hot on the heels of Tim Sherwood's weekend attack on the former England boss.

The Spurs midfielder said the club was "still a million miles away" from winning the Premiership.

And he added that he was disappointed Hoddle had not stood up to the board to demand more money for transfer funds.