Redknapp still looking to wheel and deal
by our special correspondent

Tottenham's manager has admitted that he is not necessarily finished in the transfer market for the month, despite having already secured the signature of Steven Pienaar from Everton. Harry Redknapp was in Spain last week to see the match between Atletico and Real Madrid, and has admitted to using the trip as an opportunity to have a look at Uruguayan hit-man Diego Forlan – an indication that he is perhaps not fully set the look of his strike-force as his side continue their assault on three fronts. The football predictions suggest Spurs are still in with an excellent chance of making the top four, but a lack of goals could be costing them points.

One reason perhaps, could be the continuing speculation over the future of his unsettled striker Robbie Keane. Should the Irishman leave without Redknapp having enough time to find a replacement, then an injury to one of Defoe, Crouch or Pavlyuchenko would leave Spurs with just one possible combination of strikers. With Birmingham, West Ham, Everton and Wolves all being linked with a move for the Republic of Ireland forward, it is unlikely that Redknapp will allow himself to be caught short should he decide that he has outstayed his welcome at White Hart Lane.

In midfield too, speculation has been rife. With a host of clubs interested in Niko Kranjcar and his manager not wishing to stand in the player's way, the Croatian schemer has been linked with a move away having found himself stuck behind the mercurial Gareth Bale and now Pienaar in the left wing pecking order. But with the news that Bale has been struggling for some time now with a back injury – which again flared-up against Newcastle United on Saturday – things could well swing back in the Croatian's favour. His manager is certainly still a fan.

"He wants to play off the left but Gareth has been playing there and been playing fantastic. He understands that… He's well regarded around the world; he's an international player... People know how good he is – he could play at a top team anywhere," he said. Indeed, the player may have a chance to prove himself at the highest level in the coming weeks, with Champions League football set to start up again soon, and the football odds show Spurs will need all their players to perform to the best of their abilities.

With less than a week left in the current transfer window, choosing to keep Kranjcar as a way of allowing Bale to have a chance to rest seems pertinent.