SOCCER:HARRY REDKNAPP has confirmed Jermain Defoe has a chance to play some part in the north London derby against Arsenal on Saturday week but he fears the 28-year-old's return could lead to problems for his other three strikers.
The Tottenham Hotspur manager has come to view Rafael van der Vaart as an automatic selection, when fit, in an attacking midfield role and cannot see any way to accommodate two strikers in front of him. There is little doubt Redknapp considers Defoe to be his number one striker – he is bitterly disappointed to have been without him since the beginning of September, when Defoe damaged ankle ligaments on England duty – and so his comeback represents bad news for Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane.
Defoe has stepped up his rehabilitation to include some work with the ball in training and, for the past couple of weeks, he has had the derby at Emirates Stadium in his sights. “Maybe the Arsenal game is possible for him,” Redknapp said. “Let’s see how it goes. Fitting all the strikers in is a problem, isn’t it?”
Redknapp continued: “It’s very difficult to get two strikers in and Van der Vaart. So really, you’re looking to play with one striker and Rafa, because Rafa will score as many goals as most strikers and he gives you other bits that he can do. You’re looking at one striker because to play two and him in behind, you can’t balance your team up.
“You play Gareth Bale on the left, you’ve got to play with two midfield players and suddenly, you’ve got no one on the right. I have Aaron Lennon on the right. You can go through it all you want and it won’t balance the team up. I couldn’t see Rafa as one of the two midfielders, either. It would be a very open looking team. You’ve got Luka, Rafa.”
Redknapp said Keane had “done his ankle in training last Friday” and faced a scan to ascertain the extent of the damage, and so Crouch and-or Pavlyuchenko will enjoy their opportunity against Sunderland at White Hart Lane tonight. Redknapp said Van der Vaart and Lennon were selection doubts with hamstring injuries and William Gallas has a knock.
Chris Hughton feels the time is right for Fabio Capello to take a chance on Andy Carroll. The Newcastle manager has discussed Carroll’s development with the England coach’s assistant, Franco Baldini, and is convinced the 21-year-old striker is ready for his first senior cap in next week’s home friendly against France.
Carroll has scored six goals in the Premier League this season, including the winner at Arsenal on Sunday and a hat-trick at home to Aston Villa. But it is his power and strength on the ground, as well as his aerial prowess, which Hughton believes offer England something exciting and different.
The youngster’s promising performances for Newcastle, where he is often asked to play as a lone striker, have thrust him into the England frame and Capello intends to include him in the squad he will announce on Saturday evening despite recent controversies surrounding the player’s personal life. Hughton believes Carroll is worthy of a call-up.
“I don’t think he could have done any more to push his claim,” Hughton said. “He has been outstanding for us at times. There are aspects of his game that need improving but at the same time he is improving constantly.”
