Just for one moment there Jonathan Woodgate’s arrival at White Hart Lane had me pondering the potential of the Spurs defence. Ramos’ latest signing will undoubtedly add further resilience to a Spurs side that has already demonstrated a more robust, but no less attacking, style of play under the new manager. In time, a King/Woodgate partnership in central defence would surely provide a foundation on which to grow further defensive stability. However, if the latest reports are to be believed, that dream ticket at the back looks to be a non-starter.

A report in the Daily Mail tonight indicates that the signing of Woodgate marks Ramos’ need to cover for the loss of Ledley King, such is the fragility of the Spurs skipper’s knee. King missed the FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford, apparently hampered by severe pain in his knee following his appearance in the 5-1 Carling Cup victory over Arsenal.

According to the Mail’s story, Ramos has been advised that King is only available for an average of one in three games for the rest of his days at Spurs. When you consider that Woodgate himself is a player cursed by injury, the idea of a bizarre job share alongside Dawson in the Tottenham backline begin to sound strangely feasible.

Such speculation is likely to be enough to kill off any temptation for fantasy managers to consider either Woodgate or King in a hurry. The prospect of consistent Spurs clean sheets then could well be out of reach for some time despite this latest £8 million outlay.

Woodgate is set to make his debut at Everton on Wednesday with King thought to be still sidelined.