Tottenham Hotspur boss welcomes Jermain Defoe back from injury
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is pleased to have striker Jermain Defoe back from injury ahead of his side's English Premier League clash with fierce rivals Arsenal on Saturday 20 November.
The England international had been out of action for two months after he underwent surgery on ligaments in his ankle. He had been expected to remain on the sidelines until the middle of December, but has already returned to training and is ready to play
a part in the fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Spurs are having to contend with injuries to several other key players, with captain Ledley King, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Dawson, Robbie Keane and Vedran Corluka all out of action.
Meanwhile, there was good news regarding long-term absentee Jonathan Woodgate, with the central defender's groin injury finally healing up.
Redknapp told reporters that: "It's great to have (Defoe) back. He's a fantastic goalscorer. He would've certainly had six or seven goals by this stage of the season.
"(Woodgate's) got to go through a 'pre-season' next week, if you like, a month of real intensive, hard work. If he can come through that okay then there's real light at the end of the tunnel for him, which would be great."
Spurs, who are competing in this season's UEFA Champions League competition, are currently three points out side of the top four spots and a potential return to the top table of European action next season.
As a result, star man Gareth Bale was quick to underline the importance of the game against second-placed Arsenal.
He said that: "We need to win every game we play at the moment We're good enough to beat anybody and we've shown that in the past. It will be a massive test obviously, away at the Emirates, but we'll be ready for it."
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