Tottenham centre-back Jonathan Woodgate has emerged as a doubt for the Premier League clash at Birmingham on Saturday.Woodgate played through the pain of a sprained ankle during the Carling Cup final.

The 28-year-old picked up the injury in the first half of Sunday's 2-1 extra-time win over Chelsea but did not tell Spurs medical staff until after the final whistle following his Wembley winner.

Woodgate's career has included a series of injury disappointments but the current problem for the January signing from Middlesbrough is not considered serious.

Head coach Juande Ramos said before the final: "The decision to buy him came after 15-18 months playing regularly, with his injury history over with. If he goes on the same lines, he will be indispensable."

Fellow centre-half Ledley King is unlikely to play at St Andrews either after featuring last weekend, with the Spurs skipper still being brought back gradually from knee surgery.

Ramos is also having to take into consideration the UEFA Cup clash against PSV Eindhoven the following Thursday.

The good news for the Spaniard is defenders Michael Dawson and Gilberto are dging closer to full training following respective hamstring and calf injuries.

But left-backs Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Gareth Bale (foot) have been ruled out for the season.

Meanwhile, Pascal Chimbonda apologised to his Spurs team-mates on the bus after the Wembley victory for storming straight down the tunnel when he was substituted.

Full-back Alan Hutton said: "Even on the bus back he was saying sorry for that, but we were saying it's not a problem. It's fine. It's understandable."

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