Tottenham hope to be playing in new stadium by Christmas

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly targeting December 15 as the date when they will finally play their first competitive match at their new stadium.

The 62,062-seat arena on the site of the old White Hart Lane was due to be completed in the summer but has been beset by delays and construction problems.

However the club insist that the ground will be done by Christmas - and a Premier League fixture has reportedly been earmarked for the opening game.

According to the Telegraph, the visit of Burnley has been tentatively highlighted as being a reasonable target to ensure Spurs have a home game at their new home before Christmas.

If there are any delays, then the stadium would have to be unwrapped to the public on Boxing Day, when they host Bournemouth.

In a press conference before Spurs' Carabao Cup tie with Watford - held in Milton Keynes due to the stadium delays and the fact their temporary home of Wembley was unavailable - manager Mauricio Pochettino said he had been assured by chairman Daniel Levy that they would be able to move in before 2019.

He said: 'I am confident. This year. I am confident this year. I had a private conversation with Daniel, well not so private because (assistant) Jesus Perez was there.

'I think they are confident. They are working hard to try to find the solution. I hope before the year ends, before Christmas, we can play. That's my wish.'

The stadium - which had been earmarked to host the game against Liverpool on September 15 as the opening fixture - looks to be finally nearing completion as pictures emerged of the pitch being laid.