Tottenham have rejected Romania's attempts to call up defensive talisman Radu Dragusin as they try to revive their fading World Cup dream.
Dragusin, out since January with a cruciate knee ligament injury, is close to fitness once again.
Spurs head coach Thomas Frank said in August that he expected him back in contention within 'a couple of months' but also stressed the need for extreme caution on the road back from such a serious injury.
Dragusin, 23, was named last week by Romania boss Mircea Lucescu on a preliminary list of overseas-based players for the two October internationals, a friendly against Moldova followed three days later by a qualifier at home against Austria, the strongest rivals in Group H.