Spurs place hope in youth

(GETTY IMAGES)

Harry Redknapp has enjoyed a whirlwind fortnight in charge of Tottenham Hotspur and the intensity continues tonight as the north London side enter a period of four matches in nine days. A 2-0 defeat at Udinese a fortnight ago spelt the end for predecessor Juande Ramos and Redknapp will seek to resurrect the club's Group D campaign for tonight's Uefa Cup visit of Dinamo Zagreb.

Tottenham are unbeaten in three league games since Redknapp's arrival and have reached the last 16 of the Uefa Cup in each of the last two seasons, but he admits the club's priorities lie with improving their position in the Premier League. "We've got a lot on our plate," he said. "Every game is big for us now. I'd love to get to a cup final again, but getting Tottenham up the league is key as well."

Saturday's win over Liverpool lifted Spurs off the bottom of the table for the first time in nine weeks, but wins since for Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United have seen them return to 20th, albeit six points off seventh place. "I've never seen a tighter league and it may take more points than normal to stay up."

Captain Ledley King (knee) is expected to be rested ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester City after playing three games in nine days while Jermaine Jenas (toe) is struggling after missing the win over Liverpool.

Midfielder Jamie O'Hara is suspended after his dismissal in Udine, while Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka are ineligible. The threadbare nature of the squad means Redknapp may hand the 16-year-old striker John Bostock a place on the bench. "He's a kid with terrific talent and a lovely left foot," Redknapp said of the summer signing from Crystal Palace. "He is a special young player with terrific ability. I'd love to get him on the pitch."

Tottenham (probable, 4-4-1-1): Gomes; Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate, Bale; Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, Lennon; Modric; Bent.

* Former Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand is close to agreeing a return to the club in a coaching capacity. Redknapp has held talks with Ferdinand, who scored 39 goals in 149 games over six years at the club between 1997 and 2003, and the former England interntaional could be reunited with former team-mate Tim Sherwood, who returned to the club last week as coach. "I want to bring him in to do a bit of coaching and work with the strikers," Redknapp said. "I think he can be a big help."