Source: Team_Talk
Redknapp: No Bent sale regrets
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists he has no regrets over selling Darren Bent, especially as he can welcome back Jermain Defoe on Saturday.[LNB] Bent left White Hart Lane for the Stadium of Light last summer and has scored 21 times for the Black Cats, although Redknapp has been happy with the output of the forwards he has placed his faith in during the campaign.[LNB]The form of Roman Pavlyuchenko, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Peter Crouch means Defoe may not be risked from the start at Sunderland when Spurs look to maintain their place in the top four of the Premier League.[LNB]With Robbie Keane scoring nine times before his loan to Celtic, Redknapp has not been short on firepower in the hunt for a Champions League place since Bent's departure.[LNB]"Darren's had a terrific season," he said. "He has scored his goals, it's been a great move for him and it's done him the world of good.[LNB]"He has played regularly, he's become a big player up there, a major player in their team and he has responded. He has put himself in the running for a World Cup place as well so good luck to him.[LNB]"It hasn't surprised me, I just ended up with a situation where I brought Jermain Defoe in, I brought Crouchie in because he gave us a different dimension. I already had Pav here and I had Robbie Keane."[LNB]Defoe, who has been sleeping in an altitude chamber to get himself back from a hamstring problem in just over two weeks, has found the net 23 times this season to make sure Bent's goal threat has not been missed.[LNB]Redknapp added: "I thought he'd (Bent) score goals there. I felt he would do well. But then my strikers have done well as well and you can't keep everyone happy.[LNB]"It was time for him to move. It wasn't only me, it was before I came that he wasn't playing regularly."[LNB]Redknapp may have four strikers to choose from but he is short on numbers elsewhere as Vedran Corluka, Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone are on the sidelines, while Wilson Palacios is struggling with a groin complaint.[LNB]"We've done without everyone who has been injured," Redknapp said. "We've had loads of players out but we've continued to pick up results."[LNB]The good news for Redknapp is King and Lennon are getting closer to full fitness.[LNB]"Thursday was probably the best day Aaron has had," Redknapp said. "He worked hard with the fitness coaches and he is getting there. He is improving day by day and he is not too far away.[LNB]"Gary Lewin, the England physio, came down to have a chat with him. They wanted to monitor his progress and see how he is. And he's improving.[LNB]"I wouldn't want to be putting a time on when he will be available but he's improving."[LNB]Sunderland will be without Alan Hutton, who is on loan from Spurs.[LNB]"Newcastle are very, very interested I hear this week," Redknapp said. "But they have not contacted us."[LNB]Meanwhile, Redknapp has been encouraged by Carlo Cudicini's return to the training ground after wrist and pelvis injuries sustained in a motorbike accident.
