ex-Fulham midfielder Sean Davis

New sporting director, at Tottenham, Damien Comolli has been handed a very clear remit ahead of the forthcoming winter transfer window - sell all of the squad's surplus talent.

The club's player recruitment drive went according to plan in the summer, but the proposed departures of three members of the playing staff did not happen, thus leaving the club with an overloaded squad of 36 going into September.

As a result, Comolli has been instructed by the board to shed the club's excessive wage bill and to find potential buyers willing to meet the various valuations.

It is understood that the former Arsenal scout is preparing to make some astute acquisitions in late June, but has been told that, in order to accommodate these signings, there has to be a severe reduction in terms of numbers within the squad.

Sean Davis is set to bring the curtain down somewhat prematurely on his Tottenham career with a January exit out of White Hart Lane.

The Battersea-born midfielder, who has only registered a meagre 12 starts since moving from Fulham, was offered to both Southampton and Norwich on a loan basis in September, but the 26-year-old is waiting for a return transfer back to Craven Cottage in the New Year.

Michael Brown has been used sparingly so far this season, but the former Sheffield United midfielder has already attracted interest from Birmingham, Wigan and Glasgow Rangers.

Other players believed to be moving out of the club include Noe Pamarot and Johnnie Jackson whilst Tottenham are hoping to negotiate a new deal to keep Robbie Keane in Haringey for another two years.