Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that he was advised not to play Hugo Lloris against Newcastle United this afternoon by the club's medical staff, after the goalkeeper failed an impact test prior to kickoff.

Lloris was not risked after being knocked unconscious during last weekend's goalless draw with Everton, missing a second consecutive match as Brad Friedel deputised.

Villas-Boas believes that Tottenham's medical staff should be allowed to make their position clear on why Lloris was left out, while reiterating that they have been unfairly criticised in the last seven days.

He told The Mirror: "I expect Hugo to play for France this week. But for him it [the Newcastle match] was a bit too soon, even though clinically and medically all the signs were that the player was ready to play.

"It was down to a test that they do, that they value a lot, called the Impact Test. I had to stick to what they said. They decided the player wasn't good enough."

"I think the medical department should be allowed to explain it to you. The only thing I can tell you is the medical department advised us not to play the player. I just follow orders, the medical department deserve respect."

Spurs were unable to claim three points without the French number one, falling to a 1-0 home defeat against the Magpies.