Tottenham's Harry Redknapp facing Carling Cup dilemma against Manchester United

Spurs were in this season's competition thanks to their Carling Cup final success over Chelsea a year ago but, with another final just three days away, and with a valuable three points secured at Hull only on Monday, Redknapp had no options than to field what was effectively a second team against Shakhtar Donetsk at White Hart Lane last night. Redknapp's second string impressed, but a 1-1 draw meant that the Ukrainians of Donetsk face a mouth-watering last 16 battle with CSKA Moscow, who overcame Aston Villa yesterday. 'I would have liked to have gone to Moscow,' insisted Redknapp. 'You want to win every game and we would have deserved it. Their coach said we were unlucky afterwards. 'I'd just love to win on Sunday, what comes with it is great. It's just the situation we were in that is difficult. If we didn't have a cup final I wouldn't have been looking to rest so many people.' The experience was not wasted; the game against the Ukrainians offered several positives. Jamie O'Hara, missing for five weeks, returned from injury, completed 70 minutes, and has put himself in the frame for a place at Wembley - a year after the heartache of being left out against Chelsea. Tom Huddlestone also impressed, while goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who will face Manchester united because new goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is cup-tied, came through unscathed. And in 18-year-old debutant Jonathan Obika, Redknapp witnessed a young talent capable of stepping up to the plate and succeeding. 'Tom Huddlestone was great, Jamie O'Hara was outstanding in his first game back for a month. Jon Obika never stopped working and showed strength. It was encouraging. I couldn't have asked for more.' Now Redknapp has key decisions to make. He added: 'Tom has never been out of it, Jamie has had an injury or he would have been in my team. He was top class. He's had a groin problem and it's how he reacts to it after this game. 'He is a terrific passer and gives you balance, he can play wide or inside and he is in my plans. He is a fantastic boy as well; you'd have him in your side any day of the week.'

Source: Telegraph