Harry Redknapp ready for 'aggravation' of England job

Redknapp looks likely to be the next England manager (AP )

Harry Redknapp has hinted he is ready for the "aggravation" of the England job after becoming an even firmer favourite to succeed Fabio Capello.

Redknapp saw his odds shorten further on Sunday when Football Association general secretary Alex Horne revealed the Tottenham boss would be on a "not very long" long list for the position when it becomes vacant.

That is set to happen in a year and a half at the latest, when Capello's contract expires.

The Italian's incredible success in club football has failed to spare him the flak that comes with being England manager when results have gone awry.

But Redknapp insists that as long as the pros of being a national team boss outweigh the cons, it is worth it.

"Do I need the aggravation?" he said.

"It's aggravation managing Tottenham, isn't it? It's what you get with the job.

"You either enjoy it and get on with it or you turn it in and walk the dogs and play golf.

"That's my choice, isn't it? And while I enjoy it, you keep going."

Spurs and England striker Peter Crouch yesterday declared Redknapp's elevation to England boss was "inevitable" but his manager disagreed.

The clamour for him will increase if Tottenham finish top of Champions League Group A after tonight's game at FC Twente.

Redknapp said: "To win the group would be a good achievement for us.

"That's really what we'd love to do now and then we can put this to bed until the next round and when the draw comes up see what we get from there."

Crouch added: "We all know that we can nick some big teams if we finish second. It gives us more of a chance if we finish top of the group so we will be going all out to try and do that."

Even if Spurs do finish second behind Inter Milan, Crouch insists they have little to fear.

He said: "There is no one that we should be wary of at all although, saying that, having watched Barcelona, perhaps we should be a little bit cautious.

"But we shouldn't be too frightened. We have performed very well against top opposition."

Meanwhile, Twente boss Michel Preud'homme has insisted his side's desire to avenge September's controversial defeat at White Hart Lane had lessened ahead of tonight's return fixture in Enschede.

Dutch champions Twente were angered by a number of refereeing decisions that went against them in the 4-1 loss in north London, including the award of three penalties.

Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone also escaped punishment after appearing to elbow striker Marc Janko.

But rather than stewing over those perceived injustices in the intervening months, Preud'homme believes the pain has subsided.

"Those feelings are less than immediately after the match," he said.

"I hope tomorrow for fewer penalties for them."