Source: Daily_Mail
Harry Redknapp wanted Jonathan Woogate to stay at Tottenham
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that he did not want release Jonathan Woodgate - a player he rates as one of England's best defenders when fit.[LNB]Woodgate's injury-riddled three-and-a-half year spell at White Hart Lane came to an end this summer when he was released by the club and joined Stoke.[LNB]The one-time England defender only made 65 appearances during his time at Spurs but Redknapp was keen to keep hold of the 31-year-old, but was thwarted by the club, who were not convinced the player merited another contract, even on a pay-as-you-play basis.[LNB] Reunion: Jonathan Woodgate will meet his former manager Harry Redknapp for the first time since he left Spurs for Stoke[LNB]'I wanted to keep Jonathan. I wouldn't have let him go,' said Redknapp, whose side take on Woodgate's new team in tonight's Carling Cup third-round clash at the Britannia Stadium.[LNB]'I asked him to come back to train but the secretary said he couldn't because of the insurance. That was the problem.[LNB]'He was convinced he was fit again.[LNB]'It was gutting but I can see the club's point of view. He had barely kicked a ball in two years.'[LNB]An own goal against Sunderland aside, Woodgate has made a good impression at the Britannia Stadium and Redknapp hopes the former England defender can get back to his best.[LNB] Moving on: Redknapp insists he had to sell Crouch to facilitate the arrivals of Parker and Adebayor[LNB]'If he can stay fit he is one of the best. He and Ledley King are up there with the John Terrys and Rio Ferdinands of the world,' added Redknapp, who was also reluctantly let Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios joined Stoke this summer too.[LNB]'I like Crouchy as well. He wasn't one I was mad to get rid of,' Redknapp said.[LNB]'Wilson's deal was dependent on Crouchy going. I was looking at the time to bring Gary Cahill in and we needed to raise some money to do that, and bring in Scott Parker, so we ended up getting around about ?20million for the two.'[LNB]Redknapp will make several changes to the side that beat Liverpool 4-0 at the weekend for this evening's game at the Britannia Stadium.[LNB] Cup chance: Roman Pavlyuchenko will start for Spurs at the Britannia Stadioum[LNB]Several internationals, including Vedran Corluka and fit-again pair Sandro and William Gallas, will start though and Redknapp wants his team to go far in the competition.[LNB]'I want to go all the way to Wembley in it if I can,' Redknapp said.[LNB]'I will do it by juggling my team around if I can because we are in Europe, but I will go there with a team that I feel can win the game.[LNB]'We'll be looking to have William Gallas, Sandro, Vedran Corluka, Sebastien Bassong, Roman Pavlyuchenko. That's not a bad team is it?[LNB]'Once we push on in the competition I will be looking to win it.'[LNB] Spurs plotting to sign Swiss keeper Jakupovic as Gomes considers leaving clubGallas and Sandro in contention as Spurs head to Stoke for Carling Cup tieRemember when they all took the Carling Cup seriously?All the latest Tottenham news, features and opinionAll the latest Stoke news, features and opinion [LNB]
