Spurs targeting February opening as stadium is delayed AGAIN

TOTTENHAM are quietly optimistic of returning to White Hart Lane in February but face a race against time to have their new stadium ready to host their Champions League last-16 tie. Spurs will play the home leg first, at the earliest on February 12 or at the latest, eight days later. UEFA want a decision before the end of January and Tottenham issued a statement yesterday to confirm they will play Manchester United on January 13 at Wembley. Contractors will work through Christmas and report to the club on January 7. With no further complications, this should clear the club to schedule the larger test events — such as an Under 23 game and a Legends match — necessary to acquire the all-important safety certificate. After that, the Premier League fixtures against Newcastle on February 2 or Leicester a week later are considered ideal opening dates — but the club are wary of setting firm targets after what happened to their original plan to open in September. It is thought to be preferable for the official opening of the £850million stadium to take place at the weekend. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said: ‘We are acutely conscious that we are asking fans to go to Wembley for far longer than any of us wanted to. However, we are now seeing the progress that we needed to see. I don’t want to set any firm dates until we have achieved a safety certificate.’ If Spurs can hit this tight schedule it can pave the way for a mouth-watering European night as the second or third fixture back at White Hart Lane. Manager Mauricio Pochettino seemed in no doubt when he spoke after the 1-1 draw in Barcelona which secured the club’s progress into the knockout rounds. Post-match celebrations were amplified by the feeling they were about to deliver on the commercial promise to bring Champions League football to their new home this season and Pochettino said: ‘The idea of playing the next stage in the new stadium is a massive motivation for us.’