Spurs plan Inter date minus five
The Tottenham manager will be forced to make changes against Rafa Benitez’s side after influential player Rafael van der Vaart became the latest to be ruled out of the Champions League Group A game. The Netherlands international limped off with a hamstring injury during his side’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.
In addition, keeper Heurelho Gomes is suspended after being sent off in the San Siro two weeks ago while centre-backs Michael Dawson and Ledley King remain sidelined with injuries along with England forward Jermain Defoe.
“The problem is I’ve probably got five of our very, very best players missing,” said Redknapp.
“The goalkeeper is out, he is suspended, my two centre halves are out, Van der Vaart and Defoe, key players right down the middle of the team so it’s going to be very difficult.
“It’s a massive game because I think Werder Bremen could beat Twente so we’ve got to get something out of Milan really.
“But it’ll be a great game and atmosphere. I think with the crowd behind us, we’ll give it a real go.”
Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson has revealed he will not be resting any of his players for their game in Turkey against Bursaspor.
United boast a two-point lead at the top of Group C and can all but confirm their place in the knockout stages if they make it three wins from four Champions League ties tomorrow.
They return from Turkey with three Premier League games in the space of seven days awaiting them against Wolves, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
But Ferguson said he intended to field his strongest side against Bursaspor, who remain top of the Turkish League despite drawing 1-1 with Fenerbahce on Friday.
“I’d rather we took our strongest squad and try and get through,” said Ferguson.
“If we win the match we’ve got 10 points and that’s us qualified really, I have to look at it that way. If there are any injury doubts we won’t be taking them, but it looks as though they’re all okay.”
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