Redknapp retains Euro hope

TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp insists his side can progress in the Champions League even though he is likely to be without a number of key players.

Redknapp received a shot in the arm ahead of the second leg match against Young Boys with a 2-1 victory at Stoke, thanks to a brace from Gareth Bale.

Tottenham are looking to overturn a one-goal deficit in Europe when the Swiss side visit White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

But Redknapp could be without Luka Modric (groin), Giovani dos Santos (hamstring), Roman Pavlyuchenko (ankle) and Robbie Keane (knee) as they are all having treatment.

They sat out Saturday’s win after being troubled by the artificial surface in Switzerland.

Jermain Defoe also suffered a groin problem in that game but could be fit for the return match.

Without a number of his squad a tough game at Stoke looked even tougher on paper for Redknapp but the players who stepped up rose to the challenge.

Tottenham go into the match against Young Boys trailing 3-2 but Redknapp said: “The lads who came in did well. That will give us confidence for the next game. We have got a big chance as we have come back from the dead.”

Ledley King is due to return at the back after being rested against Stoke while former Arsenal defender William Gallas has also arrived, on a one-year contract.

Gallas, out of contract after leaving the Gunners, had only to complete a medical and agree personal terms. Spurs have also retained the right to extend the contract of the 33-year-old, who also played in the Premier League for Chelsea, for another season.

“I think everything is okay with him,” said Redknapp. “He is probably as fit as a fiddle. I am sure he will be a big asset to us.”

Bale made the breakthrough in the 20th minute when he fortuitously headed home after Ryan Shawcross’ clearance rebounded off him.

Ricardo Fuller pulled Stoke level five minutes later after poor defending by Younes Kaboul.

However Bale grabbed the winner in the 30th minute with a spectacular volley into the top corner.

Stoke were denied an equaliser in the dying embers of the game when a close-range shot from Jon Walters on his debut appeared to go over the line. Walters, who arrived from Ipswich in midweek, was first to react after Heurelho Gomes blocked a far-post header from Shawcross.

It was Stoke’s second successive defeat and manager Tony Pulis has further problems.

Mamady Sidibe could miss the rest of the season after snapping his achilles after coming off the bench.

STOKE: Sorensen, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Collins, Delap (Sidibe 85), Whitehead, Whelan (Sanli 63), Etherington, Walters, Fuller, Sidibe (Tonge 88).

TOTTENHAM: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Walker 87), Jenas, Huddlestone, Palacios, Bale, Crouch.

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).