Spurs set for San Siro cauldron

Tottenham will not die wondering in the Champions League with manager Harry Redknapp pledging an attacking mindset against AC Milan.

Spurs face the Italian giants at the San Siro on Tuesday in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash as they look to secure a place in the quarter finals of Europe’s premier club competition for just the second time.

The north Londoners were the joint-top scorers during the group stage this season, and Redknapp said they would continue to attack against Milan.

“Attacking football is what got us here in the first place,” said Redknapp.

“We have had a go all through this competition so we will have a right go again at San Siro.”

“We can score here. I don’t want to concede bags of goals for sure. We can’t afford to make the same mistakes (as we made against Inter) and can’t start like that again.”

“But as far as shutting up shop goes it’s a non-starter because we don’t have the players here.”

It will be an injury-hit Spurs side which lines up at the San Siro following the news winger Gareth Bale would be unavailable because of a back injury.

Central midfielder Luka Modric is also missing, as are Jermaine Jenas, Younes Kaboul, Tom Huddlestone and Ledley King.

In better news for Redknapp, striker Peter Crouch (back) and forward Rafael van der Vaart (calf) have been deemed fit to play.

“We can’t come out and be completely gung-ho but what I’m saying is that I do have a problem setting a team up to defend,” explained Redknapp.

“Rafael van der Vaart plays the way he plays. Niko Kranjcar and (Aaron) Lennon – we haven’t got defensive players to play with five across midfield and soak it up.”

“If I had two wide men who could do a job and sit there and just be solid, I might think about it. But those type of players are not at this club.”

“The only two midfielders we have who are fit are Sandro and (Wilson) Palacios for the middle of the park. There is no one else.”

“Sandro is not a Luka Modric, he plays differently. He has hardly been in my team all year. It’s a big ask but he is up for it.”