SOCCER:TOTTENHAM COACH Joe Jordan has branded Gennaro Gattuso "pathetic" after the AC Milan midfielder claimed a racist remark provoked his headbutt this week.

Gattuso has been charged with “gross unsporting conduct” by Uefa after headbutting former Milan striker Jordan following Spurs’ 1-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg win at the San Siro on Tuesday.

Uefa’s control and disciplinary body will discuss the case against the 33-year-old Italian on Monday.

His agent Claudio Pasqualin claimed Jordan had called him an “Italian b******” but the Scot has rubbished those allegations.

“To come up with something like that is pathetic,” Jordan told the Daily Mail. “It is completely and utterly untrue and something so wildly inaccurate doesn’t do him much credit.

“He clearly doesn’t realise I consider playing for Milan the proudest time of my career, that my daughter lives and works in Italy and that I love the country and the people. It’s just a nonsense, it really is.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Ireland is eyeing a return to full training with Newcastle United by the end of next week. The midfielder, who joined from Aston Villa on a deal until the end of season on transfer deadline day, has yet to feature for his new club due to a knee injury.

The 24-year-old revealed he had been expecting to return early in March, but encouraging progress this week means his recovery is now ahead of schedule.

“I went running outside [on Thursday] at a decent level and decent pace, and I reckon it could be by the end of next week hopefully,” Ireland said of his return.

“I haven’t got any specific game in mind. I’ve just got to take a day at a time really, because one day it could feel amazing and then the next day really bad.”

Ireland failed to hold down a first-team berth at Villa following his summer transfer from Manchester City and is eyeing a run in the Magpies’ starting XI when he does finally return to full fitness.

“After two weeks at a club you want to be getting involved in the playing and training, but I’m not far away,” he continued.

“I didn’t come here just to get treatment – I came here to play. Thankfully things are getting right now and I’m almost there.”