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« Smash and grab United steal three points | Main | Gunners shoot down rivals »
Sunday
Mar042012

Redknapp positive on key quartet

Harry Redknapp is positive on the fitness of key trio Gareth Bale, Kyle Walker and Rafael Van der Vaart ahead of the visit of Manchester United.

After Saturday’s positive results for respective rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, both teams will be pushing for all three points as the season enters its business end.

Bale picked up a hamstring problem while on international duty with Wales meaning he missed the midweek 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica.

Despite reports the Welshman could be ruled out for up to three weeks, Redknapp has moved to allay fears that this is the case.

"We’ll wait to see how he is, but he should be okay," reported Redknapp on Friday.

"He hasn’t got a tear in his hamstring, just a little tightness. It shouldn’t be a problem."

Redknapp is also confident that Walker and Van der Vaart, both of whom were also forced to pull out of the England and Holland squads, respectively, will be fit to face United on Sunday after both suffered ankle knocks.

The Spurs manager will also be hoping that Ledley King will be able to train prior to the encounter with the Red Devils after limping off with a hamstring complaint with ten minutes to go during last weekend’s derby defeat.

"Rafa will train today (Friday) and feels a lot better," he added. "Kyle’s okay, he should be fit and Ledley’s not bad, hopefully he will come out to train tomorrow (Saturday) and we’ll see how he is."

However, recently appointed England captain Scott Parker will miss the game after picking up his first red card of the season during the 5-2 defeat to Arsenal.

"It’s a blow for us, Scotty’s been in great form," said Redknapp.

"But we’ve got Sandro and Jake Livermore and it’s a chance for them to step up to the plate and do the job."

Tom Huddlestone (ankle), David Bentley (knee) and William Gallas (calf) all remain sidelined and will miss Sunday’s game.

Potential starting XI:

Friedel; Walker, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Van der Vaart, Adebayor

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