Redknapp ready to unleash Defoe

The England international recently played down talk of him making a move during the January transfer window, but he is keen to find regular action.

The depth Spurs now have in their squad means Redknapp cannot guarantee him a starting place, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Roman Pavlyuchenko also competing for a striking berth, while Rafael van der Vaart is often deployed in a deep-lying role.

Defoe has had to be patient this season, making just seven starts, but he is set to be handed a starring role in Spurs' crunch clash with league leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

With Adebayor ineligible due to the terms of his loan deal from City, Redknapp is ready to turn to a man he considers to be among the best frontmen in English football.

"Jermain Defoe is one of the best finishers I've seen," the Spurs boss wrote in his column in The Sun.

Capable

"It's been difficult for him at Tottenham this season and I can understand his frustration.

"With Emmanuel Adebayor here, it's been a case of Manu and who else up front?

"Now, with Manu's loan terms preventing him playing against his parent club Man City, Jermain has a chance to make a huge impact on the title race and the competition to get into the Champions League next season.

"City have won all 10 Prem home games this term but it would be a fantastic achievement for us to go there and change that.

"Defoe could have a key role in that. I watch him in training and he has the shortest backlift of any striker, he barely bends his leg when teeing up a shot but then he is a brilliant finisher.

"I've taken Jermain with me to nearly all the clubs I've managed. I signed him as a little kid at West Ham, he has been with me at Portsmouth and now at Spurs.

"Our squad is more than capable of coming away with something from Man City, and it could be a big day for Defoe."