Hoddle's plan to rescue Redknapp

Adrian Curtis13 April 2012

Glenn Hoddle revealed today that Tottenham have an injury management plan for new signing Jamie Redknapp.

Liverpool's former captain joined Spurs on a free transfer, four-year deal last night after passing two stringent medicals.

Hoddle said that they would handle Redknapp the way they had done with such success with Darren Anderton this season to ensure there is no repeat of his injury problems.

Tottenham's manager is an admirer of the 28-year-old, who has made just three starts for Liverpool in the last two seasons after overcoming a careerthreatening knee injury that required surgery in America,

He revived Redknapp's international career when England manager, but injury problems wrecked his chances of going to Euro 2000.

Hoddle, who believes he has got a £6 million player for nothing, told Standard Sport: "It is a fantastic signing for us.

"He is made for Tottenham and Tottenham is made for him. I had him with England and he is a smashing lad. His attitude is first class and I believe he is over his injuries.

"But we will try to do with him what we've achieved with Les (Ferdinand) and Darren ( Anderton), and Steffen Iversen to a lesser extent this season.

"We have already spoken about that, and in many ways I was asked the same questions about Darren and Les at the start of this season.

"Les has had his best season since he's been here and Darren the same - he's almost got himself into the World Cup squad.

"There are similar things we will be working on with Jamie and we've already spoken about them. Let's see what happens in 12 months - he could be the steal of the decade."

Redknapp told Standard Sport: "I need to be playing now. People may have forgotten all about me, but it is now up to me to make sure that they start to remember once more.

"I came through the medicals with no problems, but even though it's been tough, I never thought I'd not play again.

"Dr Steadman in America assured me there would be no problems with this injury once I'd got over it and there is now no reason why I cannot go on and play for eight more years.

"It was a bit of wrench to leave Liverpool because I had 11 fantastic years and ended up as club captain with them, but Gerard Houllier, Rick Parry and Phil Thompson have all been really good to me. In that time, I have shown them a lot of loyalty and they repaid that by allowing me to go on a free.

"There were a few other clubs interested, but once I knew Spurs wanted to talk to me, I spoke to my dad and I knew this was the right move for me.

"I am really looking forward to re-building my career and being a success at Spurs."

Meanwhile Chris Armstrong and Mauricio Taricco played a part in the reserves' 2-1 defeat to Derby last night.

Taricco is available for Bolton this weekend after a five-game ban, while Armstrong has now taken another step in his recovery from groin and hernia problems.

The Charlie Whelan column

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