Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham 1 Tottenham 1: Harry Redknapp can't wait for Younes Kaboul to arrive as Spurs stutter
[LNB]Spurs bound: Younes Kaboul[LNB]Younes Kaboul will arrive at White Hart Lane for £8million this morning after Harry Redknapp decided he could not gamble his Champions League aspirations on two injury-prone centre halves. [LNB]The Spurs boss feels that the Frenchman he signed for Portsmouth 18 months ago has kicked on and is now ready to play for a club whose two best stoppers may not be seen on the pitch together again. [LNB]Jonathan Woodgate's groin problems and the continual 'will he, won't he' saga surrounding Ledley King's knee have forced him to act. [LNB]Redknapp said: 'I'm delighted to have Younes. He's quick, strong and good in the air. I took him to Portsmouth and since then I think he has improved his concentration.[LNB]'He could get into the French squad for the World Cup. [LNB]'When Ledley plays, he's fantastic. I didn't expect him to be fit for this. His knee won't improve. It is what it is. It has no cartilage and it blows up after a game.[LNB]'But Woodgate is out in America and has been out there for nearly a month. I don't know if we will see him this season or not.' [LNB]Redknapp sympathised with Pompey boss Avram Grant.[LNB]'He and I must speak on the phone four times a day. He doesn't know what is going on and I feel sorry for him,' he said. [LNB] Last gasp: Ridgewell fires home Birmingahm's late equaliser[LNB]'He said yesterday that theyhad to sell Kaboul. They didn't want to sell him but if they don't get the £8m or whatever they are going to get then they can't survive. [LNB]'I don't think I'd have been there long, working like he is.' [LNB]Jermain Defoe's 15th Premier League goal, slammed home on the full after Peter Crouch stooped low to flick on Gareth Bale's cross, looked to have won the day, but Liam Ridgewell's cool finish in the dying seconds salvaged a point for Alex McLeish.Birmingham were lucky to eke a point from this. [LNB]On song: Defoe celebrates with Bentley[LNB]However, they rallied in the final stages and McLeish called the result 'fantastic'. [LNB]This was the 11th consecutive Premier League match that he was able to name the same side. But it is beginning to look a little worn in one or two areas.[LNB]He has added two solid, rather than spectacular, faces in Aston Villa's Craig Gardner and Spanish midfielder Michel.But the galaxy of star names eludes him. [LNB]He is trying to conclude a loan deal for Aruna Dindane. His parentclub, Lens, want the carrot of a permanent £4m deal at the end of thisseason whereas McLeish is not so sure. [LNB]He said: 'I'd bedisappointed if I can't buy a striker, but I'm not blaming anybody forthat. As this club is evolving I balked at taking a massive jump. [LNB]'Whenyou see other clubs that have more money than we have opting out of oneor two offers because wages are too expensive, then you see that wemade absolutely the right decision.'[LNB] BIRMINGHAM CITY (4-4-2): Hart 7; Carr 7, Johnson 9,Dann 8, Ridgewell 6; Larsson 5 (Fahey 57min, 6), Ferguson 7, Bowyer 5, McFadden 6; Benitez 5, Jerome 5.Booked: Johnson, Bowyer, Carr, McFadden.[LNB]TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-4-2): Gomes 6; Corluka 6, Dawson 7, King 7, Bale 8; Bentley 6 (Jenas 89), Huddlestone 7, Palacios 7, Modric 6; Crouch 6, Defoe 6 (Keane 79, 6).Booked: Palacios, Defoe. [LNB]Man of the match: Roger Johnson. [LNB]Referee: Stuart Attwell.[LNB] Sunderland move for Spurs skipper Keane will allow Jones to join LiverpoolSpurs eye Manchester United keeper Foster after Begovic goes missing Tottenham payment for Bostock vital for cash-strapped Crystal Palace BIRMINGHAM CITY FC
