Redknapp's worried

By Chris,
January 22 2009

Harry Redknapp has announced that he’ll play his “weakest possible line-up” for Tottenham Hotspur’s F.A Cup clash at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. The game will act as a dress rehearsal for the League Cup final on March 1st, with Redknapp speaking after watching his Spurs side claim a hugely lucky ticket to Wembley following an extra-time aggregate win at Burnley.

Redknapp won the F.A Cup with Portsmouth last season - but doesn't seem overly bothered by the great competition this time around.

The Spurs boss said earlier in the week that his team's league form and the Carling Cup were his priorities - and, following Wednesday night's battle with Burnley, Redknapp has revealed his selection policy for Saturday's F.A Cup fourth round tie at Old Trafford.

Spurs currently sit 16th in the league table with goal-difference alone keeping the North London club out of the bottom three. Redknapp also has his team's Uefa Cup campaign to consider with a tricky two-legged tie with Shakhtar Donetsk on the horizon.

He said: "I'm really going to send a real mismatched side up there. We've played extra-time tonight and we're out on our feet. I can't afford any more injuries. That group I've got tonight is the only group I've got to go to Old Trafford with.

"I can't risk players because we have got Stoke on Tuesday. So I'll go to play United with the weakest team I can possibly find. That's how it's going to be I'm afraid.

"I've got no one else and I've got to rest people. I can't afford it, we're in a relegation battle. We need to get some squad players in who will come in and give me everything and be proud to play for Tottenham."

The game could resemble something of a reserve-team clash as United face an injury crisis.

Owen Hargeaves, Wes Brown, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Anderson, Rafael Da Silva and Jonny Evans are all certain to be out, whilst Nani, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville are thought to be carrying knocks and may not be involved.