SPURS boss Juande Ramos must have breathed a huge sigh of relief this morning when his star striker, Russian Roman Pavlyuchenko, returned to London with no sign of making his reported ankle injury worse.

Pavlyuchenko scored Russia's first against Wales last night, but Spurs had written to the Russian Football Federation asking for him not to feature.

It is believed Spurs were concerned about an old ankle injury which he sustained earlier this season while playing for Spartak Moscow.

Despite passing his medical to seal his £14 million move to White Hart Lane last week, his ankle injury caused concern and Ramos wanted him to rest in the build-up to his side's next game, against Aston Villa on Monday.

Russia boss Guus Hiddink said: "There was a letter from Tottenham a few days ago about their worries about the injured ankle of Pavlyuchenko, which was already fully recovered.

"Tottenham made strongly the suggestion not to play him but I think it's a little bit of overconcern on their side. If Tottenham didn't pick a player because they thought he was going to get injured then some players would never play.

"Our medical staff confirmed that without any risk Pavlyuchenko can play and he has proved that already in many training sessions in the last week."