Source: Daily_Mail
I'd never cut a deal to ensure my Spurs players' international time was cut, says Redknapp
Ally: Harry Redknapp the Tottenham manager backed Fabio Capello's decision to play Steve Gerrard even though he was an injury risk[LNB] Harry Redknapp today insisted he would never ask Fabio Capello to curtail the playing time of Tottenham's England players during international games.[LNB]Capello this week felt the wrath of Liverpool when Steven Gerrard was ruled out for up to a month after tearing a hamstring in the final five minutes of his country's friendly defeat by France on Wednesday night.[LNB]England boss Capello stood accused of reneging on an apparent agreement to substitute Gerrard after an hour of the match.[LNB]But the Italian insisted injuries to other players forced him to keep the 30-year-old on the field.[LNB]He today found an ally in Spurs manager Redknapp - the favourite to succeed him - who backed Capello despite himself losing both Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson to long-term injury while they were playing for England back in September.[LNB]Redknapp said: 'I've never struck a deal.[LNB]'Luka Modric has been playing Saturday, midweek, Saturday, midweek.[LNB]'He went off and played for Croatia this week but I didn't ring Slaven Bilic and say, "Slaven, you can only play him half a game".[LNB]'It's a shame for Stevie Gerrard but no one's more patriotic than Stevie. It can happen but it happen out there in training.[LNB]'It's just one of those things.'[LNB] Last resort: Redknapp had to help Peter Crouch, pictured with Jermain Defoe, put his England career in perspective[LNB] Redknapp also urged Peter Crouch to keep his England career in perspective after the Spurs striker complained of always being 'the last resort' for his country.[LNB]Wednesday saw the uncapped Andy Carroll become the latest forward selected ahead of Crouch, who nevertheless scored barely a minute after coming on for Gerrard.[LNB]Redknapp said: 'I don't think he should be cheesed off, Crouchy. I think he should be pleased to be in the squad.[LNB]'If you'd said to Crouchy about eight years ago, "You'll be coming on as sub for England", he'd have bitten your arm off.[LNB]'We can't be precious, can we?[LNB]'The manager gave Andy Carroll a chance because he's been playing well at Newcastle and he wanted to look at some new faces.[LNB]'In a few years' time, Peter won't be available; in three or four years' time, Andy Carroll will.[LNB] Deadly foes: Nasri and Gallas set to provide added spice to tasty derbyRedknapp hails 'top' Kranjcar - but won't stand in way of Croat's Spurs exitSpurs and Wigan set to slug it out for £5m-rated Spanish playmaker MarquezCLICK HERE FOR ALL THE LATEST SPURS NEWS[LNB] Explore more:People: Michael Dawson, Peter Crouch, Fabio Capello, Harry Redknapp, Luka Modric, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Steven Gerrard Places: Newcastle, Liverpool, France, Croatia, United Kingdom
