Ryan hopeful of Spurs move

Ryan spent a week at Spurs, training under goalkeeping coaches Tony Parks and White Hart Lane legend Pat Jennings, and is now counting down the days until the transfer window closes at the end of August.

The rookie shot-stopper had to cut short his stay in England, where he also trained and trialled with West Bromwich Albion before a shoulder niggle curtailed the third leg of his trip – an intended stop-off at Wigan Athletic.

Nonetheless, the 20-year-old is praying he did enough while at Tottenham to earn a contract offer.

“I was happy with the way I went and the feedback I got from both Spurs and West Brom was positive, so I’ll just have to wait and see now if anything comes out of it,” Ryan said.

“It was a great learning experience and something I’ll never forget.

“The injury was a little bit of a setback and that’s why I’ve come back a little bit early.

“But overall I feel positive about the trip and what might come out of it. In some ways it was surreal and it’s made me determined to push on and take my game to another level again.

“I got the shoulder knock while training at Tottenham, and it got a little bit better and then it started to bother me again at West Brom, so it was decided to call things short.”

Ryan’s agent Warren Craig, who travelled with him to England, said it was possible a deal might be done with Spurs before the transfer deadline, with the possibility he could then be loaned to either a lower division club – or even back to the Mariners for a season.

“Spurs at this stage have certainly expressed an interest in moving things forward and they are talking with the Mariners about the situation,” he said.

“If they find themselves on the same page then we can start talking about the personal side of things but we are not there yet.

“We’ll wait and see what – if anything – comes of it. As for West Brom, we haven’t heard anything yet.”

Craig also revealed that in addition to Burnley, two other Championship clubs – Derby County and Birmingham City - have also expressed an interest.

“All three contacted me when we were there and wanted to have a look at Matt, so obviously he is gaining something of a reputation. However, the shoulder injury really decided things for us in terms of cutting the trip short.”

Tottenham has three keepers already ahead of Ryan – should he sign – in first choice Brad Friedel (41), Carlo Cudicini (38) and Heurelho Gomes (31).