Rumour: Tottenham plan loan deal to get Joleon Lescott to White Hart Lane

According to the Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a loan move for Joleon Lescott ahead of their FA Cup tie with Arsenal due a severe defensive injury crisis.

Spurs are currently without Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen and with just Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches available, Tim Sherwood is looking at bringing in Lescott on a six-month loan deal to help aid the defensive crisis.

The 31-year-old has been a peripheral figure at Manchester City this season with Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic and Martin Demichelis all ahead of him in the central defensive pecking order.

Apparently, Manuel Pellegrini has given the England international permission to leave the club.

Turkish club Besiktas had been linked with a move for Lescott, who signed for City in 2009 for £22 million, but it now looks like he could be on his way down south to north London.

However, Spurs may face competition from Newcastle United, who want cover for Fabricio Coloccini and Monaco who need defensive reinforcements.