Redknapp expects Lennon to find form

HARRY REDKNAPP backed the misfiring Aaron Lennon to shake off his slump in form ahead of Tottenham’s Champions League clash with FC Twente tonight.

England winger Lennon has failed to hit the heights since returning from almost four months out with a groin injury back in April, enduring a miserable World Cup and a poor start to the current season.

The 23-year-old has found himself substituted in most of his club’s games this term, while he has also been frozen out by national team boss Fabio Capello.

Spurs manager Redknapp must now decide whether to gamble on Lennon in tonight’s Group A clash.

But regardless of his team selection against the Dutch champions, Redknapp is certain Lennon will eventually come good. “He’s a match winner on his day and it’s very hard to be consistent when you play out in that wide position, when you’ve got to beat people every week. It’s not always easy but he’ll come good.”

Redknapp’s real worry tonight lies at the back, where he has just one fully fit recognised centre-half in Sebastien Bassong. He may risk captain Ledley King, but if not, Vedran Corluka will continue in the heart of defence.

Redknapp believes his current injury worries have not helped his side as they have struggled to balance their Champions League and Barclays Premier League commitments.

“The biggest problem you have is probably getting the players up for the Premier League games after the Champions League,” said Redknapp, whose side have won just two of their six league matches this term.

Of more pressing concern to Redknapp is tonight’s match against Twente which he has described as must-win. “I think we need to win our home games; obviously, if you do that, you’ll qualify.

However FC Twente boss Michel Preud’homme plans to expose Tottenham’s “pain points” in tonight’s match. “That’s how we approach every game,” the former Belgium goalkeeper, who succeeded Steve McClaren as Twente manager this summer said.

Probable Tottenham team: Cudicini; Hutton, Corluka, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch.

Probable FC Twente team: Mihaylov; Rosales, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Kuiper; Brama, De Jong, Janssen; Ruiz, Janko, Chadli.