Tottenham boss Redknapp tips Lennon to star for England

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has told Fabio Capello that Aaron Lennon deserves a chance to shine for England after the winger inspired his side's 1-0 win over Blackburn.

Lennon was a constant problem for the Blackburn defence at White Hart Lane on Sunday and he set up Roman Pavlyuchenko's first half winner before inducing two fouls that led to Blackburn defender Martin Olsson's dismissal.

With Theo Walcott out for at least three months after shoulder surgery and David Beckham increasingly marginalised, there is a vacancy on the right flank for England that Redknapp believes Lennon can fill.

Lennon has fallen out of favour at senior international level since going to the 2006 World Cup and England coach Capello hasn't asked Redknapp about the former Leeds star's form.

But Redknapp said: “If he starts seeing him play like that he'll put himself in the picture again.

“I've had Walcott (at Southampton). Walcott is young but so is Lennon. He's 21, only a kid. There is nothing to stop him because there are not many wingers around who can do what he does.

“Lennon is exciting. He carries the game forward for us. He was the wonderkid at the last World Cup, then he was off the radar and not getting a game here. I think his confidence is coming back.”

Lennon, who was voted man-of-the-match on Sunday, thanked Redknapp for giving him confidence since taking over from Juande Ramos as boss.

“I've been getting better and better since the new boss has come in and this was probably my best performance,” he said.

“He's given me license to get at people and that's my game really. It's been a hard start to the season and now we're glad to get out of (the bottom three) again. Hopefully we can carry on and push up the table now.”

The result meant mixed emotions for Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who was given a warm reception on his return to Spurs after leaving in the summer.

Capello has also been urged to look at Robinson after leaving him out of the action for last week's friendly in Germany.

“I was very annoyed,” said Rovers boss Paul Ince. “(England goalkeeper coach) Ray Clemence has been to see him three times and two of those times he was outstanding.

“Why he wasn't playing baffled me. I was angry at that. He showed it again coming here. I told him he didn't have to prove a point – as far as I'm concerned he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.”

Redknapp felt his own goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who has been guilty of a series of errors, responded well to seeing a crowd favourite welcomed back.

“It's a lonely position being in goal,” Redknapp said. “He's an intelligent guy, he can hear them all singing to Robinson and it's not easy. But he did well.”

After Olsson was sent off in the 39th minute, Ince accused Spurs coach Joe Jordan of trying to get more players dismissed, leading to a row between the pair at half-time.

“Joe Jordan was talking to the referee about Andre Ooijer and Lennon, (saying) he kicked him two or three times,” Ince said. “We've already got a man sent off and he's trying to get another sent off.”