Spurs block Russian flops move and other red-hot gossip

Tottenham have blocked a £10.5m move to Lokomotiv Moscow for out-of-favour striker Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. The Russian, who is behind Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in the pecking order, has been a flop at White Hart Lane since joining the club for £13m last season. Apparently Spurs manager vetoed the move because he is not prepared to weaken a squad chasing a top-four League finish and FA Cup glory. Elsewhere, Stipe Pletikosa's move from Spartak Moscow to Tottenham is back on as the Croatian keeper's knee injury has improved; Everton manager David Moyes has been on a personal scouting mission to check out Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo, who is also attracting the attention of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Blackburn; and the EPL is considering having play-offs for the final Champions League slot for the clubs that finish fourth to seventh.