Source: Daily_Mail
Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart set to start for Spurs against AC Milan
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp expects Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart to start against AC Milan in Wednesday's crunch Champions League tie. Redknapp intends to attack the Serie A leaders and his options will be boosted with Bale and Van der Vaart in his starting XI. Flying Welsh winger Bale had been sidelined with a back injury but made his first appearance since January as a substitute in Sunday's draw with Wolves. Van der Vaart missed the Molineux match as he recovers from a calf problem. Boost: Van der Vaart (left) and Bale have been key men for Spurs this seasonAaron Lennon is also expected to play as Spurs, leading 1-0 from the first leg in Italy, look to make the quarter-finals. Redknapp said: 'I think we've got enough to hurt Milan at home. We'll be positive.'We will play an attacking team. We'll play (Aaron) Lennon and probably Gareth Bale and have a go.'Peter Crouch has had a great European campaign as well. And Van der Vaart has a good chance for Wednesday, I hope he will be fit.'Redknapp is also hoping Jermain Defoe will now finish the season with a flourish after scoring his first and second Premier League goals of the campaign at Molineux.The England striker has had a stop-start season through injury but looked sharp and scored two stunning goals. Key factor: Defoe's goals could make the difference as Spurs chase fourth spotRedknapp said: 'Defoe could now go on a run. You are looking now for Defoe to go on a run and start to score. It has been his worst goalscoring season in his whole life.'Now, if he can go and get 10 goals between now and the end of the season, he could make a massive difference to us. He is capable of doing that.'He has missed a lot of games through injury this year. It has been a stop-start season for him.'Bale showed glimpses during his brief run-out at Molineux of the surging runs which have terrorised defences in all competitions this season.Redknapp said: 'When Gareth came on and started to run with the ball, it was exciting. We've missed that for the last five or six weeks.'That was his first real exertion for six weeks. He started straight away to run with the ball and, when he does that, he scares people to death.Welcome back: Bale showed glimmers of dazzling form against Wolves which has electrified Spurs' European jaunt'He carries the game at the opposition and that makes a massive difference.'The only concern for Redknapp is his defence is leaking too many goals as they followed up the 3-1 defeat at Blackpool by letting in three more against Mick McCarthy's side.He said: 'There were lots of positives for me from the game but we just didn't defend well in a couple of positions and that is a problem.'Conceding goals is a concern. Conceding three at Blackpool was a concern. It is disappointing to let three goals in, especially when you score three.'Redknapp believes Spurs are involved in a fight with Manchester City for the fourth and final Champions League spot.He said: 'I don't think we've been hot favourites. I think we've always been the outsider. Tottenham have always been fifth in the odds. I think it is between us and Man City for the other (fourth) spot.Meanwhile, Milan travel to London with Kevin Prince Boateng a doubt to face his former club. Boateng picked up an ankle injury in the weekend win over Juventus and it is doubtful whether he will take his place in a midfield already missing Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Mark van Bommel, and Gennaro Gattuso. Defoe: It would be just perfect to score my 100th Spurs goal against MilanWolves 3 Spurs 3: Fletcher levels late after Defoe and Doyle hit doublesWatch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Peter Crouch, Harry Redknapp, Andrea Pirlo, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Mick McCarthy, Jermain Defoe Places: Milan, London, Italy, United Kingdom