DIMITAR Berbatov and Robbie Keane may have scored 44 goals between them this season but Tottenham manager Juande Ramos is still not happy with the club s goal return. Berbatov, valued at £40million by Spurs, grabbed the Lilywhites goal in Saturday s 1-1

DIMITAR Berbatov and Robbie Keane may have scored 44 goals between them this season but Tottenham manager Juande Ramos is still not happy with the club's goal return.

Berbatov, valued at £40million by Spurs, grabbed the Lilywhites' goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers. It was his 22nd of the season and hauled him level with fellow striker Keane.

However, with none of the duo's team-mates reaching double figures, Ramos feels Spurs are not clinical enough in front of goal.

"We are not being assertive in the final shot," he said. "Football is all about converting your chances. We were in front of goal on a number of occasions [at Blackburn] with a number of opportunities.

"I think it is just being a little bit more assertive in that final finish. That is what is missing."

Indeed, Ramos may now feel the time is right to cash in on the in-demand Berbatov to rebuild as he seeks to bring Champions League football to the Lane.

Yet, publicly, the Spaniard is adamant that Spurs will fight to keep Berbatov at the club.

"We want him to keep on playing for Tottenham," said Ramos. "But we understand that he is an ambitious player. There are many big clubs that want to sign him. He deserves it [the interest] because he is great footballer."

Several top continental teams, including the two Milan giants, are keeping a close watch on the situation, as are the two Manchester clubs.

Meanwhile, Spurs, who entertain Middlesbrough at the Lane on Saturday, will be without captain Ledley King for the remaining five matches of the season.

The England centre-back has been given the time to recover from a long-standing knee injury, which has kept him out for most of the campaign.

"My knee is actually feeling good at the moment and there is no inflammation," said King.

"But we have to look at the bigger picture and accept that this is an ideal point in time to recover further and make sure that I come back fitter.

"They are five games I could well have taken part in, but we all believe this is worth doing for the longer term benefit."

l Spurs reserves drew 1-1 with Arsenal reserves in front of 2,000 fans at Barnet FC on Monday. Tomas Peckhart gave Spurs a 12th minute lead before Armand Traore levelled after 30 minutes.

pat.mooney@hamhigh.co.uk