Pav still has a big future at Spurs, insists Redknapp

TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has still not ruled out the possibility of Roman Pavlyuchenko staying at the club but fully understands why the Russian striker wants to leave White Hart Lane.

Pavlyuchenko netted his first league goal of the season with a clinical finish after being frozen out of the side.

With Jermain Defoe being ruled out with a hamstring injury, Pavlyuchenko got the chance to stake his claim and even though reports are linking QPR with a move for his signature in January, Redknapp feels he can still play a big role for the north London club this season.

Redknapp said: “Some people are going to be upset they’re not in the team. It’s difficult. He’s an international player. He’s got the Euros coming up. They all want to play. I understand. You can’t keep them all happy.

“In football, the ones you pick they all love you at the time and the ones you don’t can’t stand the sight of you.

“He’s a fantastic player. He’s got real talent. He’s got great ability. Left foot, right foot, great finisher. He’s top drawer but he’s just been unlucky. He didn’t start the season great, to be fair. He hasn’t really shown the form that he’s capable so he’s slipped down the pecking order a bit.”

Redknapp confirmed that Aaron Lennon had suffered a hamstring tear and could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while Gareth Bale sprained his ankle in training and is a big doubt for the next league game against Chelsea next Thursday.

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill was pleased with his side’s display but feels they have got a major battle on their hands as they look to move clear of the bottom three.

O’Neill said: “When you lose a few games as they have done this year, confidence, even from good players, gets eroded. Once they got the goal you could see a change in emphasis; a swagger.

“We’ve got a battle on our hands. Before we start to do anything we have to rectify a situation down there and I’m hopeful we can do that.”