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Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has discussions with Tottenham over extending Steven Caulker loan

 

Andrew Gwilym
Thursday 05 April 2012 11:37 BST
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Brendan Rodgers spoke to Harry Redknapp on Sunday about getting Steven Caulker (left) on loan again
Brendan Rodgers spoke to Harry Redknapp on Sunday about getting Steven Caulker (left) on loan again (Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers, the Swansea manager, has spoken with his Tottenham counterpart Harry Redknapp over potentially bringing on-loan centre-half Steven Caulker back to the Liberty Stadium next season.

Caulker has made a big impression in south Wales, and has fitted in seamlessly to Swansea's style of play, while also providing a robust presence alongside Ashley Williams in the centre of defence.

He has helped to keep eight clean sheets from his 19 Premier League appearances and Rodgers has tipped the England Under-21 international for a bright future.

The Northern Irishman has previously said he believes Tottenham are unlikely to sell the defender, but is hopeful he may get the chance to engineer another loan deal come the summer, depending on Spurs' plans for the player next term.

Rodgers said: "I spoke to Harry at length [following last Sunday's 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane], and just generally he understands Steven has had a fantastic season and it will be between now and the end of the season before they determine where he will go, it will depend on the club and where they are at.

"He has made a massive jump in his career through playing games here, and it's down to where they see him fitting in there next season. He will be going back to Tottenham for pre-season, it will then depend on whether he is seen as one who will be part of their squad, whether he is going to play or whether he needs more games.

"For me he is a young player, he is 20 years of age, who the more he can play the better he will become, and he will become a great asset for Tottenham I am sure. He could well come back on loan next season whether it will be here will be another question, but that will be nothing that will be answered until they bring him back in, have a look at the squad they have got and take it from there."

Rodgers spent last weekend fielding questions over his future after being linked with the Tottenham job should Redknapp be offered the chance to manage England. But the 39-year-old, who signed a new three-and-a-half year contract in February, re-iterated that his only focus is on helping the 10th-placed Swans to finish an excellent maiden Premier League campaign on a high.

"It [speculation] is just a by product of the club's success," he said. "I cannot sit here and say I will be here forever, whether it's through leaving or getting the sack. As much as I would love to be here for the longer period you never know what is around the corner but until then my only focus is on doing my best for Swansea, it's been a wonderful journey we are on and we want to continue that."

Swansea face Newcastle tomorrow following back-to-back defeats against Everton and Tottenham. The Welsh club have not lost three straight league games all season but Rodgers is not overly concerned. He said: "We have had two difficult games against Everton, who played very well, and we have been to White Hart Lane and given Tottenham a real game, and the game was in the balance until the final 10 minutes."

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