Harry Redknapp: Jermain Defoe will have to wait his turn to start up front for Tottenham

09 March 2011 12:05
Harry Redknapp last night told Jermain Defoe he will not guarantee him a permanent place in his Tottenham team. [LNB]Defoe spoke of his unhappiness at his limited opportunities in yesterday's Sportsmail, revealing how he considered quitting the club in January because he rarely starts in the biggest games. [LNB] In contention: Jermain Defoe is desperate to start against Milan in the Champions League[LNB]The England striker scored his first Barclays Premier League goals of the season in the 3-3 draw at Wolves on Sunday but is expected to be back on the bench for the Champions League clash with AC Milan, with Peter Crouch and Rafael van der Vaart up front. [LNB]'It's the first I've heard about him not being happy,' said boss Redknapp. 'It's not easy when there are fourstrikers, or three and Rafa. You can't play them all. [LNB]'Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko have started the last three away games in the Premier League and it's a squad game. [LNB] On your marks: Defoe bagged his first and second league goals of the season at the weekend[LNB]'We have to rotate and pick the right players for certain games. In Europe, we've gone with Crouch and Rafa and it's worked. Crouch gives them different problems.' [LNB]Defoe, who scored twice at Molineux, with Pavlyuchenko also on target, said: 'It's been hard. You start to think, "What am I doing here?" I'm used to playing in big games.' [LNB]But Redknapp is set to revert to the Crouch and Van der Vaart partnership which has served him well in Europe, even though it has prompted sneering long-ball accusations from Milan's former Manchester City forward Robinho. [LNB] Deadly duo: Crouch and Van der Vaart have linked up well this season[LNB]Van der Vaart said: 'We can play really good football, not just long balls, but when Crouch is playing then it's normal we try to reach him because he's a big guy. [LNB]'I've already scored six or seven times when he's knocked the ball down. I'm always there. It's our quality and it's really hard to defend against. [LNB]'We want to reach the final and if it's with long balls then it's with long balls.' [LNB]related][LNB] Explore more:People: Robinho, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch, Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe Places: Milan, United Kingdom, Europe

Source: Daily_Mail