Source: Daily_Mail
Giovani Dos Santos handed another chance to earn his spurs at Tottenham
Harry Redknapp will offer Giovani dos Santos another opportunity to prove he has regained his appetite for the game when Tottenham take on Preston in the Carling Cup tonight.
Redknapp admitted he had been less than impressed with Dos Santos' attitude in training last season prior to farming him at on loan to Ipswich at the back end of the previous campaign.
The Spurs manager also revealed he had held face-to-face talks with Dos Santos' parents recently - his father is former Brazil international Zizinho - such was the collective level of concern at the former Barcelona midfielder's lack of application.
Dos Santos has yet to make a Premier League appearance under Redknapp and has been linked with a move to Deportivo La Coruna after the Spanish club were given permission to sign a replacement midfielder outside the transfer window.
But Redknapp insists the 20-year-old has bucked his ideas up and has challenged him to prove he is worthy of more regular action.
'He let himself down last year,' said Redknapp. 'He wasn't in good shape, he didn't look after himself. Now he's fitter, leaner and has great ability.
'I've spoken to his mum and dad, they came to see me. I told them he had a big chance and they said he had off the field issues and didn't do himself any favours.
'The penny has dropped, about applying himself and adapting himself. He found it hard to get into training on time, and different stuff. He's realised he can't do that here, he's toed the line.'
Redknapp will also be looking for a similar level of commitment from David Bentley at Deepdale tonight.
'It's not easy for him I suppose,' conceded Redknapp. 'He doesn't see a lot of light at the end of the tunnel, he sees Aaron Lennon playing well. All he can do is when he's in the team is perform, work hard and show a good attitude.Then his chance will come.'
Redknapp is eager for all his fringe players to show their commitment to the Tottenham cause tonight, citing Gary Neville's passion for Manchester United as the example to follow.
He said: 'Look at Man United, look at Neville, the excitement he showed at his team winning against Manchester City and he was only a sub. He was jumping higher than Fergie when they scored and that's why they are where they are.
'I remember losing at Bolton last year and looking at the bench. Two of them were asleep with hats pulled down and blankets over them. I said, "it's hard for 30 grand a week", and "sorry for dragging you away from your missus and a cup of tea".
'Manchester United's players don't sit there feeling down. It's something they develop in their club, the mentality is brilliant.'
Redknapp will give Michael Dawson, who has not played since suffering an Achilles injury in April, an hour tonight but his defensive woes continue to mount.
Jonathan Woodgate is facing the prospect of more surgery on his troublesome groin if matters do not improve in the next 10 days.
Ledley King will undergo a scan this week to assess the extent of a hamstring problem which forced him off in the defeat to Chelsea.
And although Sebastien Bassong has been given the all clear after a bang on the head at Stamford Bridge, the former Newcastle defender has also picked up a knee injury and, like King, misses out tonight.
