The Tottenham Hotspur coach, Christian Gross, is again the subject of speculation after more disquiet at the troubled club - this time from one of his key players.

Spurs and England striker, Les Ferdinand, has added to the manager's woes by publicly criticising the management in a British national newspaper.

Ferdinand, who is sidelined by a torn thigh muscle, is facing a month out of the team and blames Gross for not listening to him, the Sun newspaper reports.

Ferdinand, a £6m signing from Newcastle in the summer, has aggravated the injury and is set to miss England's February friendly against Chile at Wembley.

Ferdinand is quoted as saying: "I know my England place is under pressure The only way I can get into the England squad is by scoring goals. I cannot do that if I am injured.

"All I do is sit at home and watch Owen and Cole scoring goals for fun. While I am injured there is nothing I can do."

Ferdinand said that he would have been fit to face Arsenal in Sunday's north London derby if he had been allowed to rest as he had suggested.

"Instead I was made to train through the Christmas period, even though I was better off resting," he said. "All I want to do is play for Spurs and score goals. How can I do that when I am being told to do training which makes an injury worse? They simply would not listen to me."

His comments have added to the uncertainty surrounding the club, which is currently next to bottom of the Premier league - with only 20 points from 21 games - and is in danger of being relegated.

Speculation about Gross's position began after Spurs failed to secure a work permit for fitness co-ordinator Fritz Schmid, who worked with Gross at Grasshoppers Zurich. The club says it will appeal against the decision.

Gross has also been linked with a job with the Swiss national side - a link which he has denied.

"There is no question of me taking charge of the Swiss national side. I am committed to Spurs and pleased to be here," he said.

But two new appointments at Spurs have added to debate about the club's position.

Former Spurs boss, David Pleat, was last week appointed to a new post of Director of Football.

Jurgen Klinsmann trains in front of Christian Gross

And Jurgen Klinsmann's surprise return to the club has led fans to ponder whether Klinsmann may become the next manager.

But the troubles have been played down by others in the Spurs side.

Colin Calderwood explains the players' unhappiness (0'23")

Colin Calderwood said: "People who are injured are unhappy because they want to be playing in the team - that's the same at any club in the country. That's obviously made them unhappy and that's where the stories have come from."

And Spurs Swiss international, Ramon Vega, was adamant that Gross would not walk out on the club, saying: "I know him. He's a strong personality. He wouldn't leave the club like this - never."
 

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