Redknapp prepared for Keane Spurs exit

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will allow Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane to leave White Hart Lane in the January transfer window.

The 30-year-old, who was loaned out to Celtic for the second half of last season, has started just two games this campaign with Peter Crouch, Roman Pavyluchenko and Jermain Defoe all first choices.

“I think he’d like to move – he wants to play,” said Redknapp.

“He’s not used to not playing. All his career, he’s played and been a big player and he wants to play. He could sit here and take his wages, but that’s not him.

“He wants to play football. He trains hard, works hard every day, he’s shown a great attitude.

“And probably the hardest decision I had to make was last week: I couldn’t get him on the bench.

“It wasn’t easy when you respect somebody and what a good player he is or has been. It was hard, because he’s still a good player.”