Redknapp praying on Spurs´ walking wounded

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admitted the race to finish fourth in the English Premier League was now wide open as he hoped his walking wounded could limp into Europe.

The Spurs boss has seen his side sink to second place in the four-way fight to grab the final Champions League spot and is putting his faith in the club’s medics to get his missing stars fit for the final six league games.

Spurs are fifth in the table, a point behind Manchester City and four ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa.

“The chase for fourth place is wide open and we just need to get a few players back, that’s our problem,” the Tottenham manager said.

He is missing the likes of England internationals Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Jermaine Jenas and Jonathan Woodgate, while goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is also out.

But while Redknapp is worried about whether the north London side can make the step up to the next level, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is still worried about staying in the Premier League, despite being 11 points clear of the drop zone.

The Black Cats beat Spurs 3-1 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, thanks to two goals from former Tottenham striker Darren Bent, who also missed two penalties.

“I think 38 (points) is not quite going to be enough,” Bruce said.

“I have never, ever thought we would be involved in a relegation battle – I don’t know what all the fuss is about.

“We have got to try to catch Stoke and Blackburn and we have got to get Sunderland in and around that 10th position, and that’s what we will aim to do.”

Both Bruce and Redknapp spoke with one voice as they surveyed the long list of incidents that littered Sunderland’s victory.

Neither could recall being involved in a game when one team – Sunderland – had been awarded three penalties and they were in agreement over Bent’s performance.

The striker who Tottenham sold to Sunderland in the pre-season, took his goals tally this season to 23 – all but one of them in the Premier League, but Bent did fail with two of their penalties as Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes made excellent saves.

England international Bent scored in the first minute and finished off a penalty in the 29th.

England striker Peter Crouch pulled one back for Spurs in the 72nd minute but substitute midfielder Boudewijn Zenden sealed victory with four minutes to go.

“We witnessed one of the reasons why the Premier League is beamed round the world,” Bruce said.

“This was a terrific game of football. I’ve never been in a game where we’ve had three penalties – and missed two of them.

“Darren is disappointed he missed two penalties but remember that he won us the game. He was fantastic and got two goals, so it could have been a wonder day for him.

“There were a few hairy moments, but it was a terrific advert for the game of football.”

Redknapp agreed, saying: “It was some game”.

“Good luck to Darren. He’s a good friend and scored a couple of goals, but he did miss a couple of penalties,” he said.

“Full credit to Sunderland. They obviously don’t play like that every week, but they pressed us, worked hard and chased every ball.”