Football: Redknapp backs Defoe

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is expecting big things from a rejuvenated Jermain Defoe this season. Striker Defoe endured a disappointing campaign last season, finding himself behind Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko in the pecking order. “Jermain didn’t have the best time last season and had problems with injuries,” said Redknapp. “He scored four league goals and he’s a 16-17 goal a season player. But he’s looked fit and he’s looked really sharp in pre-season and a lot of that’s down to his own efforts.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2011.