It seems odds on that Spurs Manager Harry Redknapp will have to make the signing of a centre back his priority now with the admittance Jonathan Woodgate is likely to be facing further surgery.
Woodgate(hernia), Ledley King(knee), and Michael Dawson(achilles) have all been sidelined during the club’s pre-season warm-up matches and only King looks a probability to be fit to face Liverpool for the opening game of the season.
Redknapp added ‘Jonathan Woodgate is struggling and I think he may have to have an operation.’
‘I think he may have to have another hernia operation.He had one at the end of last season, but obviously it has not worked so he may have to go back in again.’
‘I don’t see Michael Dawson or Woody being fit for the start of the season.’
‘We are still looking to improve the squad.If I can still get one or two in to make us strong and if I can do that, then it will be good.’
With Ledley King’s fitness needing to be reviewed on a daily basis when he plays, at the very least one top class centre back will be required to partner him when Gerrard, Torres & Co come calling.
Harry has Chimbonda, Huddlestone, and Dervitte available for the centre of defence but none of them has overly impressed in that position.Corluka looks the most likely candidate at the moment should the personnel stay the same, but although acknowledged as a utility man he too looks more at home in the right back slot.
The name of Sebastian Bassong at Newcastle is being constantly linked with us and Harry has publicly declared his liking for the player whilst at the same time denying there is any substance in a supposed £10 million bid having been made.
With the sale of Darren Bent to Sunderland for £14 – 15 million apparently imminent, it should provide Harry with the necessary funds to pursue this line of enquiry.
Even with the departure of Bent this still leaves him with four recognised strikers, and unless someone else is on the move, the probability of Huntelaar playing at the Lane next season looks a definite no-go.
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