Injuries put David Bentley in the running

Paul Gascoigne celebrates scoring from a free-kick against Arsenal in 1991 (Getty Images)

Harry Redknapp yesterday raised the possibility of recalling Tottenham's forgotten man David Bentley to the bench for tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, such is the extent of the squad's injuries.

Bentley has not appeared for Spurs since November 2010 and started the season on loan at West Ham, where he was injured at the start of October. He has not played since then but began training again yesterday and, even if he does not make tomorrow's match, he is "in the frame" to be in the squad by the end of the season, Redknapp said.

The Spurs manager confirmed Younes Kaboul is injured, leaving him with just two fit centre-backs, in William Gallas and Ryan Nelsen. Michael Dawson is out long-term. Ledley King could play tomorrow although he is a doubt. Sébastien Bassong is on loan at Wolves.

To add to Redknapp's problems, Niko Kranjcar, who would have been on the bench, is out after injuring his knee, the club fear the Croatian may miss this summer's European Championship. Scott Parker, absent against Norwich with a hamstring problem, will return, but it is Bentley who is the most intriguing prospect for the game at Wembley.

The 27-year-old was the first Englishman to score at the rebuilt stadium, for England Under-21s in 2007. However, since his £15m move to Spurs in 2008, his career has nose-dived and he found himself particularly out of favour after Redknapp's arrival in October of that year.

Redknapp said: "He [Bentley] is in the running. David hasn't even played a game [for Spurs this season], but I'm struggling to find seven subs. We are a bit thin on the ground."