UEFA CUP NEWS:Tottenham youngster John Bostock is expected to be on the bench against Dinamo Zagreb as Harry Redknapp looks to prioritise the Premier League over European football.
Redknapp has inspired an improbable seven points from his first three games in charge but Spurs are still bottom of the table, meaning Sunday's clash at Manchester City takes greater significance than the Group D clash in the UEFA Cup.
The hangover from Juande Ramos' reign will continue at White Hart Lane against Dinamo as the players he froze out of the first team — Paul Stalteri, Hossam Ghaly, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Adel Taarabt and Ricardo Rocha — were not registered to play in Europe.
Redknapp has since brought them back into the squad but their unavailability tomorrow means Bostock will be among the young substitutes Redknapp will pick.
"He's on the bench and I'd love to get him on the pitch," Redknapp said. "He's only 16, a kid with terrific talent and a lovely left foot."
Redknapp has stressed the importance of defeating Croatian league leaders Zagreb, but domestic points are crucial as he feels it could be the tightest Premier League relegation battle yet.
"I would love to get to a cup final again, but getting Tottenham up the league to a respectable position is key as well," he said. "We've got a lot on our plate.
"Every game is big for us now, the league games especially coming up. It's so tight, there are 14 teams in a position where they will be looking over their shoulder worried at what is coming.
"I've never seen a tighter league and it may take more points than normal to stay up."
Redknapp will rest skipper Ledley King tomorrow while Jermaine Jenas is struggling with a toe injury, Jamie O'Hara is suspended and Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka are cup-tied.
Heurelho Gomes is expected to remain in goal and Redknapp has distanced himself from suggestions he would move for Newcastle's Shay Given, but he has spoken to Gomes about selecting the best time to come for the ball.
"He has to have belief in his centre-halves that he doesn't always have to come for every ball," Redknapp said.
Manchester Citymanager Mark Hughes believes Steve McClaren deserves credit for re-launching his career abroad.
The former England boss is back on home soil with his FC Twenteside with a date at Eastlands tomorrow.
McClaren, 47, has got off to a good start in Holland following the bitter disappointment of having only 18 games in charge of England.
McClaren moved to FC Twente in June and they are currently sixth in the table but only two points behind the leaders.
Hughes, who cut his teeth during his four-year spell with Wales, has a lot of admiration for his managerial counterpart.
He said: "There may be some friendly banter from our fans but Steve has moved on and the England team has moved on.
"Steve has always been one, you feel, who always had his career path mapped out. I think there was always going to be a time when he wanted to ply his trade in a different country.
"That is what he is doing now and he should be applauded for that. He wants to develop as a coach and as a manager. He is obviously enjoying the experience at the moment because results are going for him."
Hughes could have more attacking options against an FC Twente side that won their first game, against Span's Racing Santander.
Benjani scored for the reserves this week following a long-standing thigh injury while Darius Vassell also had a run-out after being sidelined with a knee problem.
Skipper Richard Dunne is doubtful after suffering fluid on the knee following the defeat by Bolton.
Aston Villamanager Martin O'Neill is set to make changes for their meeting with Slavia Praguein the Czech capital.
The match comes only three days after Villa were beaten 2-0 at Newcastle and O'Neill intends to give some of his fringe players a chance.
Midfielders Stiliyan Petrov and James Milner miss out through injury while Marlon Harewood has not travelled after the birth of his child last night.
