Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ponders contract for injury-plagued defender Jonathan Woodgate
Share Jonathan Woodgate could play his last match of a troubled spell at Tottenham on Sunday, with manager Harry Redknapp admitting that he is no closer to deciding whether to offer the injury-plagued defender a new contract when his current one expires this summer.[LNB] Woodgate signed in an ?8million deal from Middlesbrough in 2008 and was a regular in Redknapp's line-up before he was hit by a serious groin injury that kept him out of action for 15 months. [LNB]The defender, who has been capped eight times by England, expressed his joy at returning against AC Milan in February, but his comeback was short-lived after it emerged that he had suffered an adductor muscle injury in the same match. [LNB] New deal: Jonathan Woodgate (right) is hoping to remain at Tottenham [LNB]The former Real Madrid man has been dogged by injuries throughout his career but he is now back in full training and could feature in Spurs' last match of the season against Birmingham on Sunday.[LNB] Redknapp would be reluctant to let go of a man he considers as one of the most talented defenders in the league, but he admits his injury-prone career makes it difficult to justify offering him a new deal.[LNB]'It's a difficult one with Woody. His contract is up and he hasn't played for two years,' Redknapp said.[LNB] 'If we don't keep him then he is worth a gamble for someone on a pay-as-you-play deal because if you can get him fit you will have one of the best centre-halves anywhere. [LNB]'If I wasn't at Tottenham I would take a gamble on him. He could be a fantastic signing because he is training and he feels fit for the first time in two years.' [LNB]Redknapp is hoping to clear out at least six players from his squad this summer. [LNB] Surplus to requirements: Jamie O'Hara (left) and Giovani Dos Santos (right) will be on the move[LNB]Jamie O'Hara, Giovani Dos Santos, Robbie Keane and David Bentley have all been out on loan this season and are surplus to requirements. [LNB]Redknapp will also reluctantly listen to offers for Niko Kranjcar and Sebastien Bassong, while Jermain Defoe could face an uncertain future after he expressed his frustration in a televised interview that clearly riled the Tottenham boss on Friday. [LNB]Spurs could be tempted to bring in a goalkeeper given Heurelho Gomes' erratic form, although Redknapp was quick to play down links with Ben Foster and Shay Given, insisting that the Brazilian would be his number one next year.[LNB] The former Portsmouth manager revealed he is close to finalising a shortlist of targets, which he hopes he can acquire early in the window. [LNB]'I will meet with (chairman) Daniel (Levy) next week,' Redknapp said. [LNB] Open to offers: Nico Kranjcar (left) and Sebastien Bassong (right) could tempt several clubs[LNB]'If we have one or two definite targets then we will (move for them early) but we also have one or two who may take their time to move on. [LNB]'It's not easy to sell players. We have players who would do well for people but someone's got to want to buy them first and that's not always easy.'[LNB]The Tottenham manager was left frustrated in his attempt to land a marquee signing in January's transfer window, with the club's strict wage structure proving to be a stumbling block.[LNB] Redknapp admitted yesterday that a move for Emmanuel Adebayor would not be possible due to his high wage demands, but he insists that he would never ask Levy to break the bank to sign a player if it would put the club's financial future at risk. [LNB]'The top Champions League teams are earning crazy money so it's difficult to sign players,' Redknapp said. [LNB]'We don't pay the wages that Chelsea do and quite rightly so. Daniel doesn't want to put this club at risk to play those sorts of wages. It's a very well run club here. [LNB]'It works within its means and he runs it how it should be. If players wanted ?180,000 a week then they are not going to get it at Tottenham, no more than they are going to get it at Aston Villa or too many other clubs.'[LNB] Told he was too small but hard work has made a star of Spurs' ModricGet me Parker! West Ham midfielder is the top target for Spurs boss RedknappAll the latest Tottenham Hotspur FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Shay Given, David Bentley, Jonathan Woodgate, Robbie Keane, Harry Redknapp, Sebastien Bassong, Giovani Dos Santos, Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermain Defoe, Jamie O'Hara, Ben Foster, Niko Kranjcar Places: Birmingham, United Kingdom
