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Harry Redknapp May Fine-Tune His Tottenham Team For Aston Villa Clash

Spurs boss keen to freshen up starting XI at Villa Park…

Nov 27, 2009 5:53:09 PM

Harry Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur (Getty Images)

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Harry Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur (Getty Images)

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Harry Redknapp

By Zack Wilson

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that he is considering changing the line-up that destroyed Wigan Athletic last week when his side travel to Aston Villa tomorrow.

Redknapp does not want complacency to creep in amongst his players, especially not against Martin O'Neill's side.

"It's possible that I'd make one or two changes – it's a different game and winning at home is different to playing away… you've only got to look at results over history," Redknapp told reporters at his Friday press conference.

"There will be no danger of complacency as it's a very tough game, you are never going to get an easy game there, so it's an evenly matched game between two teams trying to get into Europe.

"You don't have a lot of time to dwell. When I was driving home from the Wigan game I was already thinking about the Villa game.

"We have a very tough week with Villa, Manchester United in the League Cup and then Everton."

Redknapp was also able to give updates on three injured players. Luka Modric and Ledley King have been recovering from injuries sustained on the pitch, whilst goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini's rehabilitation from the surgery he underwent after his motorcycle crash is progressing well.

"Luka's coming on slowly, it's been a long job for him. He's gradually getting there but still quite a way away at the moment," Redknapp revealed.

"But we're seeing some light at the end of the tunnel now with him and he worked with the Academy this morning (Friday) for the first time.

"Tim Sherwood was down there with him and he said he came through the session fine, so we're starting to get there with Luka.

"Ledley's had one or two problems with his hamstring and a few other niggles he's picked up.

"He's been running but we're not going to rush him back. We're going to take our time with Ledley now and get his fitness back up as best we can before he comes back again.

"We can't keep bringing him back and breaking him down, we've got to make sure that he's right when he does come back.

"Carlo was at the training ground on Thursday and it was good to see him," said Harry. "He looked great and said he was feeling well.

"Hopefully he'll be back sooner rather than later. He's a great pro and if anyone is going to work hard to get fit again it will be him."

And Redknapp feels that his side have a good chance of breaking into the top four this season, though he is aware of the threat posed by the likes of Manchester City and Villa.

"Man City will still be favourites, they've got a fantastic squad of players, but us and Villa are still trying to push into that area," he added.

"One or two feel they have a chance to push the top four and break into that group.

"We could go second with a win, that would be nice, but it's where you finish at the end of the season – 25 points at this stage is a good total but we've got to keep building on that now."

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