Tottenham Hotspur departures: Tom Huddlestone

This post is part of a deadline morning series on potential Tottenham transfers. You can find all of the posts in the series right here, as well as the initial post explaining this series right here.

Tom Huddlestone hasn't gotten much playing time for Tottenham Hotspur lately, as he's attempted to work his way back from a long-term injury layoff. In the few run-outs he has gotten, he's looked a bit off the pace. He certainly still has some serious quality in his right foot -- even after that layoff, his long diagonal balls are world class -- but the rest of his game is lacking.

Will he ever get it back? We simply don't know. I think he can, but there's a good chance he can't. The only way it's going to happen is if he gets regular playing time, which he isn't going to get at Tottenham, even with Sandro out for the season.

Quick bio: Tom Huddlestone is a deep-lying playmaker who has recently returned from a long injury layoff. He joined Tottenham from Derby County in 2005 and has made 179 appearances for the club.

Age: 26

Likelihood he'll play if he stays: Minimal

Potential suitors: Stoke City, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers

Price if he's sold: Around £5m

Loan or sale?: I'm not entirely sure. I think that if someone's going to offer £5m, straight up, with all the money up front, Spurs will take it. I think he is more likely to leave on a loan with an option to buy than a straight sale or a straight loan.

The verdict - Will he be an active Spurs player on February 1?: No. Big Tom will leave the club today. My only questions are where, and is the move permanent.

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