Cudicini is favourite to face Arsenal in White Hart Lane derby

CARLO Cudicini has not joined Tottenham to make up the goalkeeping numbers, he has told Ham&high sports editor Pat Mooney. The 35-year-old Italian, who ended a 10-year association with Chelsea when he moved to Spurs on a free transfer last week, is eager

CARLO Cudicini has not joined Tottenham to make up the goalkeeping numbers, he has told Ham&high sports editor Pat Mooney.

The 35-year-old Italian, who ended a 10-year association with Chelsea when he moved to Spurs on a free transfer last week, is eager to wrestle the No.1 shirt from Heurelho Gomes.

And Cudicini, forced to play second fiddle to Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge for the past five seasons, has seized his chance to impress Harry Redknapp with two solid displays against Stoke and Bolton in the absence of the injured Gomes.

With the Brazilian still struggling with a groin injury and Redknapp reluctant to plunge young Ben Alnwick back into the spotlight, Cudicini has every chance of starting Sunday's north London against Arsenal at the Lane.

"We have three very good goalkeepers and we will battle it out every morning at training," Cudicini told Ham&High Sport. "Gomes is a great goalkeeper and we are enjoying training together. It will be a fair competition and it is good for the team.

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