Di Canio says he looking for an English playmaker to complete his new look squad as the Italian begins his first season as Premier League manager.
The emphasis on an English player has only strengthened rumours that Huddlestone is Di Canio’s preferred choice and the Spurs midfielder appears to have no future at White Hart Lane after two more midfielders joined the club this summer, with more expected.
Di Canio: “He needs to be English, with a physical presence because we have analysed that is what we’re missing.
“The club is working on two full-backs, but more important for me is the need to get a key player in central midfield – someone who needs to be English.
“English because he needs to know English football inside out and be a quality player because we want to play attractive football which gets good results .
“We need a real playmaker with real identity and not just a player who can fill in.”