LEIGH MILLS is poised to sign for London side Tottenham Hotspur, but the deal could open the door to bring Dean Marney back to the County Ground.

Manager Andy King has confirmed that the Premiership side have made a bid for the teenage defender, pictured, but that it falls short of the £150,000 previously offered by Everton.

Mills has been down to White Hart Lane to look at the Spurs' set-up and talk with various officials.

King said: "The boy has been down to Tottenham and they have made an offer.

"However, their initial offer is not acceptable in my opinion.

"It falls short of what we feel the lad is worth.

"If Leigh decides he is happy to join Tottenham then it will be a question of them coming back with another offer or it might go to a tribunal situation."

Mills' performances in last July's Milk Cup youth tournament in Northern Ireland brought him to the attention of numerous top flight clubs but until the Spurs bid Everton were the only ones to make an offer.

As well as attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United, Mills was also recognised at international level, captaining England's U16s to a 4-2 win over Wales at Gillingham back in November.

It is thought the deal is not likely to be affected by Spurs' appointment of a new coach in current French supremo Jacques Santini.

Town youth development officer Jimmy Fraser said: "We would obviously be disappointed to see Leigh go.

"But if that's what he decides to do we would wish him well and it has to be seen as massive success for the Centre of excellence at this football club, Leigh having been recruited as an under 10 player.

"It speaks volumes for what we have done and what we continue to do.''

While Town clearly have a player that Spurs want, the opposite is also the case and King may use that to his advantage.

He said: "With limited funds available to bring new players into the squad, loans is an area I will be looking at.

"That includes season-long loans and I will ask the question about the boy Dean Marney, who was here before.

"There's no guarantee but it's something I'll look at."

Marney, 20, made just one start for Spurs last season and also endured a frustrating loan spell at Queens Park Rangers.

Barking-born Marney, who can operate either in defence or midfield, spent two months at the County Ground in the latter half of the 2002-3 campaign.

He was a big hit with King and when his Town loan spell came to an end in February 2003, the manager made clear his feelings on the player.

King said: "If I had been able to take him, I would have offered him a two-year deal.

"His attitude, desire, ideas and energy were a credit to the boy and a credit to Tottenham."

King felt Marney would progress to the Spurs' first team but it hasn't worked out that way.

If the Marney route proves unsuccessful, King has hinted there may be another player on the books at White Hart Lane that he would like to bring in on loan, probably a defender.