Anderton has reaction

Darren Anderton may miss another chance to show the England coach Terry Venables he is still a realistic contender for a Euro 96 place.

The Tottenham manager, Gerry Francis, is "reluctantly" considering leaving him out of tomorrow's Premiership game at Leeds United after the midfielder reported stiffness and soreness following his first full game for nearly eight months.

Anderton has had two groin operations this season and, until Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea, had managed only four first-team starts.

He is still hoping to be called into Venables' European Championship party and wants to be part of the two-match trip to China and Hong Kong on 19 May - just 10 days before Venables must name his final squad of 21.

"It is asking a lot of him to play Saturday, Thursday, Sunday after being out for so long,'' Francis said. ''He did well to last the full 90 minutes against Chelsea but it's obvious he's still not yet the Darren Anderton of last season. You couldn't expect it. If he doesn't play on Thursday he could play at Newcastle on Sunday - or vice versa.''