Tottenham Hotspur seem to have backed away from trying to sign free agent Stephen Appiah, after completing the signing of Honduran International Wilson Palacios from Wigan Athletic, subject to the midfielder being granted a work permit.

The £14million arrival at White Hart Lane of Palacios is understood to have led Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to reconsider taking a gamble on Ghanaian International Appiah, with doubts still remaining about the former Juventus players fitness, despite Appiah reportedly passing a fitness test at the Premier League club.

28-year-old Appiah was released by Turkish club, Fenerbahce last summer after a dispute over the treatment he received for his long-term knee injury. Appiah played for Tottenham in an arranged match against Grays Athletic last week, but did not quite last the full 9o minutes due to cramp.

Appiah is understood to be unhappy that a contract offer has not been forthcoming from Spurs and is said to be looking at other options, despite still training at the Premiership club, with Redknapp’s former clubs Portsmouth and West Ham United both linked with the midfielder last summer.

Now with Palacios at Tottenham, the chances of Appiah being offered a deal look slimmer, with Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone already vying for central midfield slots at Spurs.

Of the clubs previously linked with Appiah, Pompey could reignite their interest in the Ghanaian after their attempt to bring in Patrick Vieira on loan from Inter Milan was unsuccessful. While, the free agent status of Appiah could appeal to the Hammers, with it well documented that finances are tight at Upton Park.